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Legislative Environment News

Competition Commission advances efforts to mitigate price gouging during pandemic

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 10th September 2021 The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a spike in price gouging and complaints from customers, and the Competition Commission of South Africa had to, and continues to, focus efforts on mitigating this situation, and has learnt several lessons from this. This was indicated during the a webinar hosted by... →

A&D sectors decline needs to be halted

By: Cameron Mackay 10th September 2021 The decline of industrial sectors, such as aerospace and defence (A&D), needs to be addressed urgently, states Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Association of South Africa (Camasa) chairperson Themba September. “The A&D sectors’ technology development benefits the manufacturing sector through... →

Image of a welder working in an aerospace manufacturing facility

COMPETING IN GLOBAL MARKETS Camasa is actively pursuing the effective integration of local major manufacturers into global supply chains, particularly in niche areas

AfCFTA support vital for growth

By: Cameron Mackay 10th September 2021 The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), implemented at the beginning of this year, can potentially boost African aerospace manufacturing by improving export sophistication across Africa, states Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Association of South Africa chairperson Themba September.... →

Image of CAMASA chairman Themba September

THEMBA SEPTEMBER For aerospace manufacturing, the prospect of improvements in export sophistication across Africa can lead to an enhanced prominence of aerospace manufactured products

Local companies continue to export despite poor local market

By: Cameron Mackay 3rd September 2021 Despite the fiscally constrained state of the local economy, local equipment suppliers are successfully exporting their products, says South African Capital Equipment Export Council (Saceec) CEO Eric Bruggeman. “In 2017, we exported about R198-billion worth of equipment, and this has remained... →

Investment required in local oil refineries

By: Anna Moross 3rd September 2021 Oil refineries lack the ability to provide sufficient base lubricants and are unable to keep up with the local demand from local lubricant blenders. →

An image of David Coughlan, the Oilflow director

DAVID COUGHLAN Oil refineries refine base oil to make petrol and diesel, and several by-products such as lubricant base oils

Employment Equity Directorate gearing up for implementation, enforcement of Act

By: Simone Liedtke 2nd September 2021 The Department of Employment and Labour’s Employment Equity (EE) Directorate is gearing itself for the implementation and enforcement of the new EE Act once the Parliamentary processes are finalised by March 2022. EE director Ntsoaki Mamashela is hopeful that the processing of the EE Bill will... →

Govt targets August next year, or sooner, for third-party rail access

By: Irma Venter 30th August 2021 The current target date for enabling third-party operators in the rail-freight sector is August next year, says Dr Sean Phillips, head of National Treasury’s Operation Vulindlela unit. There are, however, ongoing efforts under way to speed up the time frame put on the table by Transnet, he adds. →

Grindrod targets port, rail projects in govt’s private sector participation drive

By: Irma Venter 27th August 2021 Ports and logistics operator Grindrod is positioning itself to take part in the private sector participation (PSP) opportunities to be created by government in the rail and port sectors, says Grindrod Freight Services CEO Xolani Mbambo. “Government has called for international players to come and... →

Andrew Waller

Fully developed legislation needed

By: Nadine Ramdass 27th August 2021 The legislation has not caught up with where the gas industry needs it to be, says gas producer Renergen CEO and MD Stefano Marani. Technical aspects that are critical to companies’ decision-making have not yet been addressed, with industries in the gas sector consequently unable to develop to... →

An image of gas extraction at Renergen's Virginia Gas project

GAS EXTRACTION Renergen is the only onshore petroleum rights holder in South Africa

Opinion: New issues with amended amended Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act for private power generation

24th August 2021 In this opinion article, law firm Webber Wentzel's Jason van der Poel, Alexandra Felekis and Mzukisi Kota write about uncertainties that remain following the latest amendments to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act. →

Impasse between government and labour sets tone for a testy day at the ConCourt

By: News24Wire 24th August 2021 Despite a hard-won public service wage deal being reached in late July, public service unions and government departments will on Tuesday return to the Constitutional Court where labour representatives are appealing a Labour Court ruling excusing government from sticking to a wage deal that dates... →

Demand for vaccines requires boost to enable full reopening of economy

By: Donna Slater 23rd August 2021 Despite an anti-vaccination contingent in South Africa’s society, Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso says common sense and rationality prevail for the most part in terms of acceptance and a willingness to get vaccinated – a factor that could soon mean the complete reopening of the... →

US moves to secure critical minerals for EV supply chain

By: Darren Parker 20th August 2021 Modern civilisation was built on fossil fuels, with the invention and commercialisation of the internal combustion engine during the 1800s setting the stage for petroleum-based vehicles to be dominant worldwide for the next 150 years. Various oil majors continue to produce huge volumes of oil and... →

Image of Engineering News and Mining Weekly magazine cover

Repower, repurpose plans under way for utility

By: Cameron Mackay 20th August 2021 State-owned power utility Eskom is progressing with plans to repower and repurpose some of its coal power stations, build greenfield power plants with cleaner technologies and invest in necessary grid infrastructure to support these plans. Repowering and repurposing the Komati power station, in... →

Image of the rock statue outside of Eskom's Megawatt Park

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
A JUST ENERGY TRANSITION Eskom is undertaking modelling work to determine the pace of the utility’s transition to use more renewable energy sources to meet decarbonisation targets

Court decision could increase electricity prices, revenue

By: Cameron Mackay 20th August 2021 National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) is appealing a High Court application that State-owned power utility Eskom brought against Nersa last year, which states that Nersa exceeded its boundaries regarding the determination on tariff adjustments requested by Eskom. Energy sector law... →

NIKITA LALLA Eskom’s argument is that Nersa had gone beyond its statutory or regulatory regime, and the information it was allowed to consider in determining tariff increases

Legislative guidance needed to unlock renewable- energy-storage benefits

By: Cameron Mackay 20th August 2021 The use of renewable energy, such as solar photovoltaic, and exploring energy storage technologies, are integral to balancing the local energy mix in South Africa, including in the domestic and commercial sectors of the country. However, government needs to provide more guidance in terms of... →

Image of a solar energy system roof mounting installed by Valsa Energy

AFFORDABLE ENERGY The reduction in the cost of solar generation technologies will make energy storage more viable locally

Business rescue the solution, not the problem, as more businesses face difficulties

By: Simone Liedtke 16th August 2021 Law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) business rescue and insolvency director Lucinde Rhoodie says South Africa can expect an uptick in business rescue filings, as more businesses will look to it as a means of saving their companies following significant impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the... →

Pic/Image of Closed for Business Sign in Shop Storefront.

Business rescue and insolvency director Lucinde Rhoodie discusses the potential uptick in business rescue filings in South Africa following recent civil unrest, and the country's still-struggling economy. Video: Recorded on Zoom. Editing: Creamer Media's Nicholas Boyd.

Eskom, W Cape govt welcome amendments giving effect to 100 MW reform

By: Donna Slater 13th August 2021 The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) August 12 Gazetting of its amendment to Section 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act has been welcomed by State-owned power utility Eskom and the Western Cape provincial government. The amendment permits private electricity generators to... →

New consumer campaign launched to assist in the fight against illicit cigarettes

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th August 2021 South Africa’s tobacco industry is stepping up its campaign against illicit cigarette producers with a new educational campaign aimed at helping smokers distinguish between legal and illicit products. The ‘Know What You Smoke’ campaign is hinged on an animated video that explains how the price of... →

City of Johannesburg appoints new mayor in wake of Makhubo’s death

By: Donna Slater 10th August 2021 Following the death of City of Johannesburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo on July 9, an extraordinary council meeting on August 10 resulted in Councillor Jolidee Matongo being elected as the new executive Mayor. Matongo, who is the former Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance in the current... →

eThekwini municipality approves relief, recovery measures for businesses

By: Donna Slater 6th August 2021 The eThekwini municipality has approved various measures to support business customers that have been affected by the mid-July civil unrest that saw widespread looting and destruction of property and assets in the province.  The rapid implementation of eThekwini mayor councillor Mxolisi Kaunda’s... →

Increased interest in temporary employment services

By: Darren Parker 6th August 2021 More of human capital solutions provider Workforce’s agricultural clients are agreeing to the value that Workforce Staffing – a temporary employment service provider subsidiary of Workforce – can bring to the table. Workforce Africa MD Darren Hollander tells Engineering News that compliance... →

A photograph of Workforce Africa MD Darren Hollander

DARREN HOLLANDER In the agriculture sector, which mostly requires unskilled labour, not enough is being done to upskill workers

Rand Refinery looks back, and forward, as it marks 100 years of operations

By: Cameron Mackay 6th August 2021 Since it began operating in 1921, gold refiner Rand Refinery’s technological pioneering spirit has enabled it to transform into a “global powerhouse with a unique portfolio of products and services”, as it has continuously expanded its product portfolio and technical knowledge. Celebrating its... →

Image of Engineering News and Mining Weekly cover

Busa welcomes easing of restrictions, others caution of damage already done

By: Donna Slater 26th July 2021 President Cyril Ramaphosa’s July 25 address to the nation and the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions from adjusted Alert Level 4, to adjusted Alert Level 3, has been welcomed by Business Unity South Africa (Busa), while the South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) has expressed concern... →

Basa requests urgent meeting with Patel to save industry on the brink of collapse

By: Donna Slater 21st July 2021 In the wake of the recent civil unrest, which resulted in 161 liquor outlets and distribution centres being looted and damaged in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the beer industry is urgently calling for the alcohol ban to be lifted so that legal businesses can operate. Enabling liquor business to... →

Contracts need to be examined before declaring force majeure in times of unrest – Webber Wentzel

By: Donna Slater 16th July 2021 Following the looting, violence and vandalism following the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma, law firm Webber Wentzel says businesses experiencing disruption may be able to invoke force majeure clauses in contracts, or the law of supervening impossibility, depending on the... →

Industry tech event postponed to next year

16th July 2021 Event organiser Specialised Exhibitions – a division of Montgomery Group of companies – along with other organisers of KwaZulu-Natal’s premier trade show for the industrial technology sector has made the decision to reschedule the KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) that was due... →

THE REAL DEAL Face-to-face events provided numerous opportunities to connect with others in a way that cannot be achieved online

Alcohol industry laments sales ban extension

By: Donna Slater 12th July 2021 The South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) and National Liquor Traders (NLT) note their disappointment in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to extend the current ban of alcohol sales by another two weeks. In a joint statement, the two organisations suggest that the decision to... →

Salba requests excise duties deferment to offset liquor prohibition implications

By: Donna Slater 6th July 2021 The South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) states that the current 14-day ban of alcohol sales declared by government on June 27 has left it with “no choice” but to request that the South African Revenue Service (Sars) provide extended payment terms on the excise duties currently... →

Govt still remiss in its consultation with private sector on Covid-19 lockdowns, says BLSA

By: Donna Slater 5th July 2021 Despite the improvements in government’s approach to tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdown regulations, Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso says government has still not embraced consultation with the private sector. She points out this has been a case in point with... →

Commission’s automotive aftermarkets guidelines now effective

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 1st July 2021 The Competition Commission’s Guidelines for Competition in the South African Automotive Aftermarket have become effective as of July 1. The final guidelines were issued on January 29 and are available on the commission’s website. →

Salba requests data that drove latest alcohol sales ban

By: Donna Slater 29th June 2021 The South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) has written to Ministerial Advisory Council (MAC) chairperson Professor Koleka Mlisana, calling for the release of the information that informed the MAC’s recommendation to the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) to reimpose a ban... →

South African oil law seen unlikely to be approved until 2022

By: Bloomberg 29th June 2021 South Africa’s draft oil exploration and production law is unlikely to be finalized for at least another year, despite the government’s call for the legislation to be expedited. Parliamentary hearings and amendments to the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill published earlier in June... →

New restrictions putting many jobs at risk, commentators warn

By: Donna Slater 28th June 2021 Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the move to adjusted Alert Level 4 Covid-19 restrictions and the accompanying ban on alcohol sales, the South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) is requesting government to reassess its measures and to focus on its vaccine rollout... →

Vaccine registration for people 50 and over opens July 1

By: Sane Dhlamini 25th June 2021 Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announced on Friday that South Africans aged between 50 and 59 years can register for the Covid-19 vaccine from July 1, with vaccinations for this age group scheduled to begin July 15. South Africa is battling a third wave of the pandemic, with... →

Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announces that vaccine registration for people aged 50 and over opens July 1 (Camera: Kutlwano Matlala, Editing: Nicholas Boyd)

South Africa’s labour law architect Mboweni sees need for change

By: Bloomberg 18th June 2021 Tito Mboweni, the architect of many of South Africa’s labour laws, said it may be time to review them to ensure they aren’t impeding economic growth. South Africa’s current finance minister told an investment conference on Thursday that when he served as the first post-apartheid labour minister... →

Association offers value to stakeholders

By: Nadine Ramdass 18th June 2021 Stakeholders in the biofuels and biogas industry can advocate for better legislation and connect with other stakeholders by being active members of associations such as the Southern African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA). The association also makes it possible for stakeholders and interested... →

BIOGAS FACILITY ON FARM Anaerobic digestion converts hazardous organic waste

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