City of Cape Town begins R24m road rehab project

The City of Cape Town this week enforced lane closures at the intersection of Strand and Adderley streets, as it began the R24-million rehabilitation of the intersection. 

Treasury launches online tender portal, central supplier database

National Treasury has launched the eTender publication portal and central supplier database (CSD) to eliminate duplication and fragmentation of notices for government tenders and provide a... 

Emira to become corporate Reit

JSE-listed Emira Property Fund on Wednesday announced its decision to convert into a company, to become a corporate Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) to be called New Emira. 

Summit highlights need for robust energy system

According to the International Energy Agency, only 290-million people out of a population of 915-million in sub-Saharan Africa have access to electricity.  

Event to focus on stimulating public-private partnership across Africa

The fourth yearly Infrastructure Africa Business Forum (IABF), which will take place on September 1 and 2 in Sandton, Johannesburg, will call on African infrastructure experts and decision-makers... 

Automation the key theme at warehousing conference

Automation in warehousing was the key focus at logistics software provider Dovetail’s 2015 warehousing conference, held in Johannesburg last month.  

Formal housing demand to drive residential property market growth

Residential property prices are forecast to grow at 7.2% this year, on the back of 6.72% growth in 2014.  

Ascendis mulls further acquisitive growth opportunities

Health and care brands group Ascendis Health reported a 101% year-on-year rise in revenue to R1.3-billion for the six months ended December 31. 

Transport, energy projects underpin rise in Africa construction investment

Investment in African megaprojects increased by 46% to $326-billion in 2014, mainly as a result of higher investment in transport, energy and power infrastructure, advisory firm Deloitte’s third... 

Auto components firm unveils ‘first of kind’ press from Southern Africa

Local automotive products manufacturer GUD Holdings will increase its product offering to the automotive sector following its R100-millon investment in a 630 t servo drive transfer press and a new... 

Nersa raises Transnet petroleum pipeline tariffs, Gauteng petrol price to rise

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) earlier this month approved a 6.9% increase in Transnet’s petroleum pipeline tariffs for the period from April 1, 2015, to April 4, 2016. 

NHBRC revises home-building manual

The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) is revising its home- building manual to include the new regulations and standards of the past fifteen years.  

Sappi to build pilot nanocellulose plant in the Netherlands

South African paper and pulp producer Sappi reported earlier this month that it would build a pilot plant for the production of low-cost Cellulose NanoFibrils, or CNF (nanocellulose) at the... 

AfDB supporting more countries to advance climate-smart initiatives

Through its climate investment fund (CIF), the African Development Bank (AfDB) now supports one regional and 25 national investment plans across Africa. 

Growthpoint development, acquisition pipeline stands at R3.2bn

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties recorded distribution growth of 7.5% to 84.4c a share in the six months ended December 31. 

Airlines’ share prices drop 3%, crude oil prices recover from January lows

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) on Friday revealed that airlines’ share prices had dropped 3% in February, while crude oil prices had rebounded from January lows.  

Bisha mine processing plant shut down for repairs

The processing plant at TSX-listed Nevsun Resources’ Bisha mine, in Eritrea, would be shut down for about two weeks to resolve a mechanical setback with the ball mill.  The company said in a... 

Nersa raises Transnet petroleum pipeline tariffs, Gauteng petrol price to rise

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on Thursday approved a 6.9% increase in Transnet’s petroleum pipeline tariffs for the period from April 1, 2015, to April 4, 2016. 

Sappi prices €450m senior secured notes offering

South African paper and pulp producer Sappi announced on Friday that it had priced its bond offering to raise €450-million of new senior secured notes, due in 2022, with a coupon of 3.375% a year. 

SA firm pursuing $2bn solar project in Cameroon

Local company GSC Energy, a subsidiary of GSC Holdings, has entered into a 27-year partnership agreement with the Cameroonian government and will undertake a $2.2-billion project to construct ten... 

Applications open for African entrepreneurship prize

African entrepreneurs under the age of 22 have until April 15 to submit applications for the fifth Anzisha Prize, which aims to identify Africa’s most exciting young social and business entrepreneurs. 

GMO crops can drive development, proponents argue

In the field of biotechnology (biotech), South Africa is the leader in Africa, having realised an economic gain of $1.15-billion between 1998 and 2012 from the use of genetically modified (GM)... 

NDP to be under spotlight at metals, engineering indaba

The National Development Plan (NDP) will be the highlight of the first breakaway session of the inaugural Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba, which will be held, in Johannesburg, on May... 

Proposed R5.3bn expressway to increase N3 safety, productivity

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) recenlty outlined the benefits of its proposed R5.3-billion De Beers Expressway, saying this would result in significant relief in... 

Ascendis reports revenue growth of 101%

Health and care brands group Ascendis Health on Thursday reported a 101% year-on-year rise in revenue to R1.3-billion for the six months ended December 31. 

Sappi to build pilot nanocellulose plant in the Netherlands

South African paper and pulp producer Sappi reported on Wednesday that it would build a pilot plant for the production of low-cost Cellulose NanoFibrils, or CNF (nanocellulose) at the Brightlands... 

Transport, energy projects contribute to 46% rise in Africa construction investment

Investment in African megaprojects increased by 46% to $326-billion in 2014, mainly as a result of higher investment in transport, energy and power infrastructure, advisory firm Deloitte’s third... 

Poor trade conditions resume – Sacci

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (Sacci’s) Trade Activity Index (TAI) pulled back into negative territory, at 48 points, in February, following a surprising rise to 59 points in... 

Emira highlights strong performance in distribution growth

JSE-listed Emira Property Fund reported distribution growth per participatory interest (PI) of 9% for the six months ended December 31, 2014. 

Cesa also worried about secondment of Cuban engineers

Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) last month said it was dismayed that the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) was seconding 35 Cuban engineers on a two-year contract to share their... 

SA preparing to submit EIAs for new nuclear power stations

South Africa is in a pre-procurement process regarding nuclear energy and is close to submitting environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for areas selected for the deployment of nuclear power. 

$450bn needed to provide African cities with access to electricity

Sub-Saharan Africa is still faced with the challenge of providing citizens access to electricity and an additional $450-billion will need to be invested to ensure that people in urban areas have... 

Growthpoint reports half-year distribution growth of 7.5%

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties recorded distribution growth of 7.5% to 84.4c a share in the six months ended December 31. 

AfDB supports more countries to advance climate-smart initiatives

Through its climate investment fund (CIF), the African Development Bank (AfDB) now supports one regional and 25 national investment plans across Africa. 

Prestigious competition seeks to showcase and inspire local entrepreneurs

The 2015 Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) competition was launched earlier this month in Johannesburg, with the main focus on creating and inspiring entrepreneurs to create... 

Health provider uses quality-management tool to boost customer service

Private health insurance administrator Discovery Health has reduced its call centre defects five-fold following the implementation of the Lean Sigma Six (LSS) and Defects per Million Opportunities... 

Govt reveals beneficiaries of electrification spend

President Jacob Zuma revealed in his State of the Nation Address earlier this month that a number of municipalities would continue to benefit from government’s electrification programmes, pointing... 

Auto group wins energy efficiency award

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has won its second consecutive Energy Company of the Year award, presented by the Southern Africa Association for Energy Efficiency, for its efforts in energy... 

Proposed R5.3bn expressway to increase safety, productivity of N3 road users

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) on Thursday outlined the benefits of its proposed R5.3-billion De Beers Expressway, saying this would result in significant relief in... 

NDP to be under spotlight at metals, engineering indaba

The National Development Plan (NDP) will be the highlight of the first breakaway session of the inaugural Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba, which will be held, in Johannesburg, on May...