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Company uses macadamia nut shells to purify water

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 17th May 2019 Kusini Water has developed a locally designed solar-powered water purification system that uses an activated carbon filter made from locally sourced macadamia nut shells and that is being used to meet the water needs of schools and communities in South Africa. The system was developed by... →

Load-shedding’s impact on first-quarter GDP ‘more muted’ than thought – Intellidex

By: Simone Liedtke 17th May 2019 Based off high-frequency data, the impact of record load-shedding during the first quarter of this year is “more muted than previous estimates would suggest”, financial consultant Intellidex said on Friday. The company explained that it could account for about R300-million per stage per day so... →

Gautrain seeks to improve passenger convenience with new train schedule

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th May 2019 Gautrain has introduced various changes to its train schedule from this month to provide a “more convenient and comfortable service” to passengers. The afternoon peak period has been extended northbound only, from Park station to Hatfield station, from Monday to Friday. →

ARA to host workshop to discuss maritime regulation changes

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th May 2019 The African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARA), together with the Egyptian General Petroleum Company, will in mid-June host an interactive workshop on the impact of the International Maritime Organisation’s changes to regulation around the sulphur content of ship bunker fuel across... →

Ramaphosa appoints head of new NPA investigating unit

By: News24Wire 17th May 2019 President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Hermione Cronje as head of the new Investigating Directorate at the National Prosecuting Authority. This unit will be located in the office of Shamila Batohi, the national director of public prosecutions. The establishment of the unit was announced... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Nordic countries strengthen partnerships with sub-Saharan Africa

By: Kim Cloete 17th May 2019 The Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are strengthening their partnerships with sub-Saharan African countries to increase green electrification and water security. The four countries are known for their expertise in developing viable and innovative energy systems, with a... →

Mozambique’s GDP growth to fall to below 3% following Idai

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th May 2019 The Mozambican government has estimated its emergency assistance needs and reconstruction costs following cyclone Idai, in March, will reach $1.5-billion, or about 10% of the country’s gross domestic product. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in a report, compiled information around the... →

Municipal electricity tariff increase yet to be approved, says Salga

By: Simone Liedtke 17th May 2019 The South African Local Government Association on Friday said the municipal electricity tariff for the 2019/20 financial year is yet to be approved. The association said that, contrary to information in the public domain about a more than 15% increase in municipal electricity tariffs, as a result... →

Greenpeace welcomes move to license SSEG projects

By: Simone Liedtke 17th May 2019 Greenpeace Africa political adviser Happy Khambule says rooftop solar is a “no-brainer” and has welcomed the move by Energy Minister Jeff Radebe “to finally make sure that the country can go ahead with the installation of rooftop solar”. The Minister earlier this week instructed the National... →

Transnet appoints acting CFO

By: Creamer Media Reporter 17th May 2019 State-owned Transnet has appointed Mark Gregg-Macdonald acting CFO, with effect from May 13. He will also serve on Transnet's board. →

Photo by Creamer Media
Transnet acting CFO Mark Gregg-Macdonald

SA business delegation heads to Uganda to explore trade and investment opportunities

By: African News Agency 17th May 2019 A group of 25 South African business people were in high spirits ahead of their departure to Kampala, Uganda, to explore trade and investment opportunities in the agro-processing, capital equipment, energy and furniture sectors in the East African country. This is according to the Department of... →

Boeing reports 'clear and steady progress' on returning 737 MAX to safe operations

By: Rebecca Campbell 17th May 2019 Giant US aerospace and defence group Boeing announced on Thursday night (South African time) that it had concluded the development of updated software for its 737 MAX single-aisle airliner type, as well as the associated simulator testing and engineering flight test. The updated software is for... →

Photo by Boeing
A Boeing 737 MAX-8 airliner

YES helps position S Africa as credible springboard into continent again

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th May 2019 Foreign direct investment is critical to the development of the South African economy and some innovative thinking by the Department of Trade and Industry has turned recently gazetted amendments regarding the Youth Employment Service into an additional arrow in the DTI’s quiver on a recent... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Dylan Slater
YES CEO Dr Tashmia Ismail-Saville

We need to get our 'house in order' to fix our 'brokenness' – Eskom exec

By: News24Wire 17th May 2019 Eskom Chief Operating Officer Jan Oberholzer has appealed to staff to help the power utility fix its "brokenness". In a leaked memo, which had various pictures attached of poor workmanship, Oberholzer called on staff to be accountable and to take "ownership" of the work and tasks they do.... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Dylan Slater
Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer

Local expo to showcase South Africa’s manufacturing capabilities

By: Simone Liedtke 17th May 2019 Determined to broaden the inclusion of local manufacturers in local and international supply chains, the South African Capital Equipment Export Council has partnered with Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery to launch the Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo, which has, so far, received over 3... →

South African Capital Equipment Export Council CEO Eric Bruggeman

Pioneers and projects that shone at African Power, Energy & Water Industry Awards

By: Kim Cloete 17th May 2019 A dynamic South African leader in renewable energy, a former influential government minister in Ethiopia, the Ghana Grid Company and a range of renewable energy projects were among the winners at the annual African Power, Energy & Water Industry Awards announced in Cape Town this week. The... →

Opinion: How could South Africa depoliticise its electricity planning process?

By: Tobias Bischof-Niemz 17th May 2019 As South Africans know all too well, the processes involved in drafting and approving an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity are emotive, opaque and highly political. It took nearly ten years to update the initial IRP 2010, despite the fact that the document lost relevance almost from... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Dr Tobias Bischof-Niemz

Collaboration seen as key as SA moves to position for 4IR epoch

By: Natasha Odendaal 17th May 2019 While President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) visions for South Africa are gaining some traction, the success of a new digital future will require extensive coordination and deep collaboration across every sphere and sector. Following a technology-centred State of the... →

Engineering News iPhone and Android Apps available for free download

By: Creamer Media Reporter 17th May 2019 Creamer Media’s readers continue to be part of the mobile revolution. Over 20% of Creamer Media’s online readers view the websites on their mobile devices. To cater for this growing mobile readership Creamer Media offers an Engineering News Online app for iPhone and Android users. These apps... →

PPPs could help ailing municipal water sector, suggests NBI

By: Kim Cloete 16th May 2019 A series of public–private partnerships with municipalities could help ailing local water and sanitation departments (WSDs), many of which face challenges ranging from deteriorating infrastructure to declining water quality and poor governance. According to the National Business Initiative,... →

Eaton acquires controlling interest in Turkish company

By: Kim Cloete 16th May 2019 Power management company Eaton has acquired a controlling interest in Ulusoy Elektrik, a manufacturer of medium-voltage electrical equipment based in Ankara, Turkey. The acquisition will help Eaton develop innovative power solutions for the African market. “The acquisition of Ulusoy Elektrik... →

South Africa’s long-term growth outlook remains weak, warns Moody’s

By: Simone Liedtke 16th May 2019 With South Africa’s sixth democratic election having run its course, ratings agency Moody’s expects the country’s new government, once formed, to put forward not just steady policies, but also to continue tackling the country’s main challenges, namely low growth, steadily rising debt, leveraged... →

New skills needed for people to succeed in the 4IR workplace

By: Marleny Arnoldi 16th May 2019 As the world continues to evolve and adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), education is no longer the only requirement for success in the workplace. Skills such as communication, learning, attitude and emotional intelligence have also become important, economist Mike Schüssler said... →

Economist Mike Schussler

Land Bank reshuffles executive after CEO's resignation

By: African News Agency 16th May 2019 The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa on Thursday appointed its head of internal audit Yatheen Ramrup, as acting CFO to support Konehali Gugushe in her capacity of acting chief executive. Ramrup is a chartered accountant who articled with Ernst & Young and has an extensive... →

Toyota targets wider market with new Quantum, retains old model for taxi industry

By: Irma Venter 16th May 2019 Toyota this week unveiled a new generation Quantum minibus, but says it will retain the old Quantum for use by South Africa’s minibus taxi industry. While the new generation Quantum will be imported, the old one will still be produced at Toyota South Africa Motors’ (TSAM’s) plant, in Durban. →

The new Quantum

Finance professionals urged to become proficient in digital technologies

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 16th May 2019 The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (Cima) has emphasised the need for finance professionals to embrace digital technology. This was highlighted during a Future of Finance discussion, hosted by Cima on Wednesday, which explored how finance is being redefined in terms of a digital... →

Tongaat Hulett, lenders to consider standstill agreement

By: Reuters 16th May 2019 Tongaat Hulett said on Thursday it was looking to negotiate a standstill agreement with its lenders, which had already agreed to waive some of their rights related to their loans to the troubled sugar producer. The news supported Tongaat shares, which have been under pressure since it issued a... →

Sakeliga welcomes Radebe's decision on private electricity generation

By: African News Agency 16th May 2019 Business organisation Sakeliga on Thursday welcomed Energy Minister Jeff Radebe's decision to allow private businesses to generate their own power and feed it into the grid. The energy department this week confirmed Radebe gave the National Energy Regulator of South Africa the go ahead to licence... →

Energy Minister Jeff Radebe

Mahomedy tackles locomotive costs, interest rate swaps at Zondo Commission

By: African News Agency 16th May 2019 Transnet acting CE Mohammed Mahomedy continued his testimony at the Zondo commission of inquiry into State capture on Thursday, further detailing how the State-owned entity was bleeding billions of rands as a result of irregular contracts and interest rate swaps. Mahomedy told the commission... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Dylan Slater
Transnet acting CE Mohammed Mahomedy

Datatec expects continued improvements following a strong 2019 performance

By: Simone Liedtke 16th May 2019 International information and communications technology (ICT) company Datatec’s integration and managed services division, Logicalis, produced strong results for the financial year ended February 28, despite emerging market currency headwinds, especially in its key Latin America region, CEO Jens... →

Emira expands US portfolio with two equity investments

By: Simone Liedtke 16th May 2019 Emira Property Fund has made two further equity investments into grocery-anchored dominant shopping centres in Texas, in the US. Emira has now assembled a portfolio of eight value-focused retail centre assets in the US. →

Power Africa moves towards its goal of bringing more energy to the continent

By: Kim Cloete 16th May 2019 Power Africa, which was launched by former US President Barack Obama six years ago, is working towards its target of providing energy access to an additional 60-million new homes and businesses and adding 30 000 MW of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacity on the African... →

$62m Zimbabwe smelter heeds local beneficiation call

By: Martin Creamer 16th May 2019 The $62-million smelter at Unki Mine’s existing complex is a strategic investment, which meets local beneficiation commitments, Anglo American Platinum said on Thursday, when it opened the completed installation at a ceremony in Shurugwi, Zimbabwe. The smelter investment is indicative of the... →

Matte casting at the new smelter at Anglo American Platinum’s Unki Mine in Zimbabwe.

Eskom's Mabuza says South Africa facing 'unemployment time bomb'

By: Bloomberg 16th May 2019 South Africa needs to increase state support in education as well as private sector involvement to avoid devastating job losses, according to Eskom chairperson Jabu Mabuza. “Our overriding objective should be to maximize the impact of policy interventions through labor-absorbing growth,” Mabuza,... →

Desalination plant ends contract with City of Cape Town, plans to sue

By: News24Wire 16th May 2019 Quality Filtration Systems (QFS), the V&A Waterfront desalination plant owner, has terminated its water supply contract with the City of Cape Town and will pursue legal action. The City was notified of this decision on May 7, GroundUp reports. "The City is disappointed with this unilateral... →

Energy in focus following elections

16th May 2019 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s focus on Eskom and South Africa’s energy sector as he considers the appointment of a new Cabinet, as well as the changes on the regulatory front with regard to small-scale embedded... →

Energy in focus following elections

Transnet CEO tells Zondo Inquiry of irregularly awarded contracts

By: African News Agency 16th May 2019 Transnet's acting group chief executive, Mohammed Mahomedy, on Wednesday told the Zondo Commission that a review of tender documents by Transnet's new board revealed that several contracts at the state-owned freight operator had been entered into irregularly. Mahomedy was acting CFO at Transnet... →

Presidency slapped with hefty R29.9bn claim over Lesotho diamonds

By: News24Wire 16th May 2019 A diamond mining company has filed a R29.9-billion claim against President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government as a near three-decade-long dispute over expropriated diamond mining rights in Lesotho reaches South African courts again. Josias van Zyl, MD of Swissbourgh Diamond Mining, is arguing... →

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