Cover Story
Auto thought leader on need to build Tier 2 and 3 suppliers as local content falls
By: Irma VenterThe South African automotive industry is eagerly awaiting the announcement of the details of government’s new support programme, the Automotive Masterplan, which is set to guide the industry’s investment activities from 2020 to 2035. The masterplan will perhaps be South Africa’s most challenging... →
Editorial Insight
Milestones & Opportunities
By: Terence CreamerFresh analysis by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), showing that the combined installed base of wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) generators breached the one-terawatt mark at the end of June, offered statistical confirmation of an energy transition that is now in full swing. Of this total, wind... →
News & Insight
African cacao-producing country starts making top-quality chocolate
By: Rebecca CampbellCooperation between a South African and a British business has resulted in the establishment of the first ever chocolate factory in the West African island state of São Tomé e Príncipe. The enterprises are HBD Venture Capital (HBD standing for “Here Be Dragons”), an enterprise of South African... →
British aid partnership aimed at allowing Ethiopia to fund its own development
By: Rebecca CampbellEarlier this month the UK launched its largest ever “tax partnership programme”, with Ethiopia. In terms of this partnership, which was announced by UK International Development Secretary (Cabinet Minister) Penny Mordaunt while on a visit to the north east African country, Britain will provide... →
Firms in satellite broadband services partnership
By: Natasha OdendaalSatellite operator and services provider Avanti Communications and panAfrican telecommunications solutions service provider iWayAfrica have signed a deal to provide satellite broadband services across sub-Saharan Africa. The new master distributor contract will allow iWayAfrica to provide... →
Ford produces 500 000th Ranger in South Africa
By: Schalk BurgerFord Motor Company of Southern Africa’s (FMCSA’s) Silverton assembly plant, in Pretoria, has produced its 500 000th Ford Ranger. “The current Ford Ranger has been a remarkable success story for FMCSA, and we are delighted to have reached the 500 000 mark for this vehicle programme,” says Ford... →
GreenCape unveils tool for modelling water efficiency interventions
By: Natasha OdendaalNonprofit organisation the GreenCape Sector Development Agency has developed a financial feasibility tool modelling scenarios of suitable water efficiency interventions for commercial and industrial buildings, showing that it makes business sense to invest in water efficiency solutions. With... →
Kenya expressway project hangs in the balance
By: John MuchiraConstruction of a $2.1-billion expressway between the Kenyan capital of Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa hangs in the balance following a decision by President Ururu Kenyatta's government not to finance the project through debt. Instead, it has directed the contractor, US construction giant... →
Local firm to support long term growth of AEG brand in SA
By: Schalk BurgerLocal construction tools and fasteners distributor Upat aims to support the long-term growth of German company AEG’s power tools range in South Africa and Southern Africa by providing technical support services to and leveraging its partnerships with retailers, Upat MD Richard Kuhlmann says. The... →
Mathe Group ups tyre processing by 35%, grows steel exports
By: Irma VenterThe KwaZulu-Natal-based Mathe Group, South Africa’s largest tyre recycler, has developed two steel by-products that are being exported to Australia and Korea in growing quantities. Dr Mehran Zarrebini, head of British investment group PFE International, which is one of the major shareholders in... →
MTN optimistic about its Iran business despite renewed US sanctions
By: Natasha OdendaalTelecommunications group MTN remains optimistic over prospects in Iran, despite the recently renewed US sanctions blocking further attempts at repatriating funds due to it from 49%-owned joint venture MTN Irancell. In May, the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)... →
Rental market, power-as-service offerings underpinning demand for generators
By: Schalk BurgerA growing rental market and the provision of expert services, including electrical engineering services, is providing global generator manufacturer Himoinsa with good growth in Southern Africa, says Himoinsa Southern Africa business development director Matt Bell. The rental market provides it... →
Secure multicloud environments key to digital transformation
By: Schalk BurgerProviding application-centric security for multi-cloud environments is necessary to secure the many and increasing complex and cross-platform interactions of modern business and industry. Flexibility of use, movement of resources, data, workloads and accessibility across a range of devices are... →
Sumitomo Rubber’s truck, bus tyre plant starts production
By: Irma VenterSumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA), manufacturer of the Dunlop tyre brand, has officially started production at its truck and bus radial (TBR) tyre manufacturing plant in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. Japanese company Sumitomo Rubber Industries, the world’s fifth-largest producer of automotive tyres... →
Photo of the Week
AFRICAN BLUE SKY
By: Creamer Media Reporter Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has embarked on an Africa-focused marketing campaign for its new generation single-aisle series of airliner, the E2 family, dubbed the ‘Profit Hunter’. Last month, an E190 E2 took VIP guests and test pilots on a one-hour excursion, flying from OR Tambo... →
Columns
Bailout or bail out?
By: Riaan de LangeOne word or two? So, which is the correct option for South Africa’s State-owned enterprises (SOEs)? Hint: a bailout is the act of giving financial assistance to a failing business or economy to save it from collapse, while to bail out is to abandon a position or situation. As I contemplated what... →
Dissecting the ANC’s sudden interest in land expropriation
By: Aubrey MatshiqiDoes South Africa belong to those who live in it, or to those who conquered it? In other words, is land expropriation without compensation constitutionally permissible and, is it possible to expropriate land without compensation without the consent of the conquerors? According to the Freedom... →
Electric cars: a real good thing?
By: Terry Mackenzie-hoyWhen I was young, our family would go to the Natal South Coast on holiday. The roads were not great; so, we would have to stay overnight halfway to Durban. At holiday times, there was a lot of traffic and sometimes the going was slow. Recently, Gregg and I went up the garden route on a project.... →
Using Douglas North’s institutional economics to understand State capture
By: Saliem FakirDouglas North remains an influential institutional economist and his work on institutional economics can help us understand economic development and long-run growth. North was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1993 and died in 2015. He shared the award with William Fogel. He was one of the founders of... →