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Latest Videos
SCBA launched for SA market 
By: Kimberley Smuts 30th September 2016 Safety products manufacturer MSA Africa launched the AirXpress 2 Fire – a new economical self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) – onto the South African market last month, officially unveiling it to the public at the 2016 Electra Mining Africa Expo that took place from September 12 to 16, at... →
Menlyn Maine Central Square open for business
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 21st September 2016 Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Wednesday opened the Menlyn Maine Central Square, in Pretoria, calling it a “very important development” for Gauteng. Speaking at the launch of the 65 000 m2 R1.8-billion Central Square development, which forms part of the overall 315 000 m2 Menlyn Maine mixed-use... →
Rolfes’ Bragan acquisition leads to major profit increase
By: Anine Kilian 19th September 2016 JSE-listed chemicals manufacturer Rolfes Group’s acquisition of Bragan Chemicals – an importer and distributor of speciality products in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries –helped the company achieve a 91% increase in headline earnings, from R41-million to R79-million,... →
Commercial bamboo production may have biofuel potential 
By: Dylan Slater 16th September 2016 According to Africa-focused bamboo technology company Afribam, growing bamboo commercially could create biofuel possibilities for commercial power generation and serve to sequestrate a percentage of carbon emitted by the same power generation facilities. →
SA legal firms soon to play more of a role in Africa business disputes with adoption of arbitration Bill
By: Dylan Slater 16th September 2016 There are about 157 countries which have adopted the Model Law, thereby recognising international arbitration agreements and enforcing international arbitration awards. →
Volvo places self-driving truck in operation at underground mine
By: Irma Venter 14th September 2016 The Volvo Group has put a fully autonomous truck to the test at underground operations at the Kristineberg mine, 100 km from Arvidsjaur, in northern Sweden. The mine was opened in 1940 and is the oldest in operation in the Boliden area. A polymetallic ore containing zinc, copper, lead, gold and... →
Cummins Africa opens CNG training facility
By: Schalk Burger 9th September 2016 Power and engine multinational Cummins Africa has added a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine training programme to the courses available at its Kelvin View training facility, in Gauteng, to support the growing use of CNG engines in public transport and power generation, says Cummins Africa... →
Need for rope condition assessment emphasised
By: Sascha Solomons 9th September 2016 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) highlights that regular testing of samples from ropes forms a vital part of ongoing monitoring and evaluation. “Testing ropes in service helps the users . . . to understand the condition in which the ropes are in order to make an informed... →
Welding industry seeks new alternatives
By: Victor Moolman 9th September 2016 With fewer projects being available in the power generation and petrochemical sectors, South African Institute of Welding (SAIW) executive director Sean Blake says that for those seeking welding industry opportunities alternative sectors have to be considered. →
Bombardier opens new propulsion equipment production site in Isando
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 25th August 2016 Rail technology provider Bombardier Transportation on Thursday inaugurated a new 6 000 m2 production site and headquarters in Isando. The facility will produce Bombardier Mitrac high-power propulsion equipment for use in the Transnet locomotives project, for which Bombardier is delivering 240... →
Implications of this year’s local government elections
By: Aubrey Matshiqi 24th August 2016 In electoral terms, South Africa is a new country. The South Africa of the day before the local government elections, in relation to the South Africa of the day after the elections, is a country that is foreign to the African National Congress (ANC). As former treasurer-general of the ANC Mathews... →
‘Transformational’ deal to change Aveng Grinaker-LTA’s look-and-feel, not tick BEE boxes
By: Terence Creamer 23rd August 2016 South African construction and engineering group Aveng expects to conclude an empowerment transaction within months to further transform its Aveng Grinaker-LTA business, which is on the cusp of moving into the black for the first time since 2011. CEO Kobus Verster believes the transaction to be... →
Cabinet sets up ‘Broadband War Room’ amid policy, spectrum uncertainty
By: Terence Creamer 22nd August 2016 Amid extended delays in the finalisation of South Africa’s information and communications technology (ICT) policy and a legal dispute over the auctioning of broadband spectrum, Cabinet has announced the formation of a ‘Broadband War Room’ to address the uncertainty. Minister in The Presidency for... →
BMW launches remote-control parking in South Africa
By: Irma Venter 22nd August 2016 Is that parking spot just too tight to allow you to get into and out of your car? Never fear, remote-control parking is here. BMW South Africa (SA) has launched its remote control parking system that allows 7 Series owners to manoeuvre in or out of a garage or forward-parking space – no parallel... →
South Africa won’t change IPP course ‘midstream’
By: Terence Creamer 22nd August 2016 Cabinet appears to have put paid to Eskom efforts to halt the country’s highly regarded independent power producer (IPP) programme, with Minister in The Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe indicating on Monday that there was no intention to “change course midstream”.... →
Risk assessment pivotal in fire prevention
By: Sascha Solomons 19th August 2016 To achieve its aim of preventing business destruction caused by fire, Gauteng-based fire detection and suppression equipment solutions provider ASP Fire says that thorough analyses of businesses’ fire prevention points are needed. “ . . . to mitigate the risks of fire, it is important to complete... →
Implementation of change in industry increases legitimacy
By: Sascha Solomons 12th August 2016 Amid the challenges faced by the South African logistics industry, materials management and logistics consultancy Greiner Mendi MD Lars Greiner notes that logistics companies should consider change to mitigate inefficiencies in their operations. He comments that logistics has always been a highly... →
Concentrated solar plants valuable for South Africa
By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 As baseload plants, concentrated solar plants (CSPs) are highly sought after in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), says infrastructure operations and maintenance (O&M) company Invest in Africa Holdings (IIAH) director Gabriel Reeder. →
Local hotel tourism rakes in R14.2bn, despite visa gripes
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 28th July 2016 Despite uncertainty in the domestic tourism industry, owing to the revised visa regulations and a weak global economy, South Africa can still expect healthy growth over the next five years, PwC’s Hotels Outlook 2016 – 2020 reveals. Almost 2 600 rooms will be added to the South African hotel... →
Africa’s brightest youth brainstorm solutions to socioeconomic challenges
By: David Oliveira 22nd July 2016 One hundred of Africa’s most innovative youth gathered at the Brightest Young Minds (BYM) 2016 summit, held in Johannesburg last month, to discuss and find innovative solutions for Africa’s socioeconomic challenges. “BYM is a nonprofit public-benefit organisation aimed at providing a platform for... →
Gas gensets a sustainable power alternative
By: Sebastian Whyle 22nd July 2016 Engine, filtration and power-generation product manufacturer Cummins notes that gas-powered gensets are a sustainable power solution, owing to natural gas being methane-rich and occurring naturally. This makes it a cost-effective alternative energy source, compared with wind and solar power. →
Eskom moves to raise exports as it closes in on 80% plant-availability goal
By: Terence Creamer 19th July 2016 State-owned electricity producer Eskom says it is on course to achieve its stated goal of achieving an energy availability factor (EAF) of 80% well ahead of its 2021 target, reporting a steady recovery in the performance of its fleet of coal-fired power stations. As a consequence, the utility... →
UJ student-designed electrical car in top 15 at Eco-Marathon Europe
By: Irma Venter 14th July 2016 The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Voltronics team finished 15th at the Shell Eco-Marathon Europe, held in London, earlier this month. The team’s prototype battery-electrical vehicle finished ahead of teams from France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Turkey and Spain. →
Eyes on Africa in Aecom strategy shift
By: Natasha Odendaal 7th July 2016 Professional and technical services firm Aecom planned to leverage its extensive base in South Africa to expand its presence across Africa in a strategy that could see the company’s revenue from the continent doubling from $150-million in the next few years. Speaking on the sidelines of a... →
Eskom insists R1 600/t is the ‘total cost’ of Anglo coal to Tutuka
By: Terence Creamer 6th July 2016 State-owned electricity utility Eskom moved to clarify its statement that Anglo American’s New Denmark colliery had supplied coal to the Tutuka power station between April 2015 and May 2016 at R1 600/t – a level that group executive for generation Matshela Koko described as “unacceptable”. In a... →
Molefe in forceful defence of Gupta-linked coal deal
By: Terence Creamer 5th July 2016 Eskom CEO Brian Molefe went on the offensive on Tuesday against critics of the State-owned utility’s recent coal contract with the Gupta-family-linked Tegeta Exploration and Resources, likening the role of the banks and the media in the “hullabaloo” to that of a “kangaroo court”. Speaking at the... →
Modernisation of steel plants crucial in South Africa
By: Robyn Wilkinson 1st July 2016 Global metallurgical processing plant supplier SMS group’s South African MD, Pieter Bezuidenhout, says the modernisation of South African steel plants is crucial in boosting the industry’s ability to remain internationally competitive in a difficult economic environment. →
Métier reports lower margins, higher revenue
By: Anine Kilian 30th June 2016 JSE-listed Sephaku Holdings’ mixed concrete subsidiary Métier increased its revenue 13% to R874-million in the year to March 31, but subdued demand from the construction industry resulted in prices remaining flat year-on-year, resulting in Métier having to prioritise cost management and the... →
TNPA luring private oil-services investors to Saldanha using ‘flexible’ terminal concessions
By: Terence Creamer 29th June 2016 Freight logistics group Transnet is optimistic of receiving positive responses to a tender for the development of an offshore supply base (OSSB) for the oil and gas industry in Saldanha Bay, reporting that around 120 people attended a tender site briefing this week. A request for proposals (RFP)... →
TNPA to add container capacity at Durban harbour as it puts dig-out port on hold
By: Terence Creamer 28th June 2016 Having pulled back from any immediate development of the so-called Durban Dig-Out Port (DDOP), Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is moving ahead with two more modest projects to expand the container capacity at the Port of Durban. Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama has indicated that the DDOP is... →
Transnet pares back capex as commodity slump impacts demand
By: Terence Creamer 27th June 2016 State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has pared back its 2016/17 capital expenditure (capex) plan in line with its strategy of “validating” demand ahead of moving ahead with major investments. The rail, ports and pipelines utility expects to invest around R22.8-billion during the 2017... →
Brexit deals 'resilient' South Africa a new complication
By: Natasha Odendaal 24th June 2016 As the UK’s decision to withdraw from the European Union (EU) this week sent ripples of uncertainty and volatility across an already unsteady global economy, South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has moved to assure the public of the country’s strong trade ties and resilience. However,... →
South Africa should ensure small business participation through JVs, FDI investments – Zulu
By: Mia Breytenbach 20th June 2016 South Africa has to find ways of ensuring that small businesses participate actively in the global market, not just through export facilitation, trade exhibitions and market access opportunities obtained through preferential market opportunities, but also through joint ventures (JVs), foreign... →
Equipment supplier strengthens bonds with German companies
By: Simon Sonnekus 17th June 2016 The continued quality of German products has allowed Boksburg-based capital equipment and consumables provider Elquip Solutions to thrive in a challenging local market. According to Elquip Solutions MD Mike Cronin, the resounding quality of the German-made electrical, automation and mechanical... →
South African, Tunisian researchers display potential of light to increase bandwidth
By: David Oliveira 10th June 2016 Researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have published their findings in a study that shows it is possible to increase bandwidth using the patterns of light used in optical communications links. The researchers,... →
Need for greater focus on local welding skills
By: Robyn Wilkinson 10th June 2016 The lack of good quality artisanal skills in South Africa, specifically welding skills, calls for a bigger focus on the development of training schools, says specialised stainless steel products supplier Plasma Cut technical director Manny da Silva. →
Free State poised to be helium pioneer as gas developments unfold
By: Mia Breytenbach 10th June 2016 The discovery and proposed exploitation of a natural gas dome containing methane and some of the highest concentrations of helium in the world – South Africa’s first onshore gas find – in the Free State has created much excitement and visions of a local gas hub. “The Free State now has the... →
South Africa not immune from ‘Brexit’ fallout – economist
By: Terence Creamer 2nd June 2016 The outcome of the ‘Brexit’ referendum on Thursday June 23 is not of mere academic interest to South Africa and could have real consequences for the country’s trade relations with both Britain and the European Union (EU), academic economist Professor Peter Sinclair, of the University of... →
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