Новости за 04.01.2021

Medium-sized companies face numerous hurdles to implement effective cybersecurity, while smaller and low-margin organisations cannot afford next-generation technology to improve their cybersecurity posture, as these require expert skills to implement not only next-generation security solutions, but also maintain current good practice. Given that the cybersecurity landscape changes on a daily basis, no static implementation would be relevant or offer the kind of protection required. Therefore, if... Читать дальше...

Insurance company Santam will start the process for assessing claims for policies with contingent business interruption (CBI) extensions. The claims assessment process will specifically apply to policies impacted by the recent judgment in the Western Cape High Court in the case between Santam and Ma-Afrika Hotels and The Stellenbosch Kitchen, and the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in the case between Café Chameleon and Guardrisk Limited.

Long-term lending institution the European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched a first-ever scheme that involves strengthening local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients in Africa and scaling up drug manufacturing. The scheme, in which €50-million will be invested, will contribute to reducing dependency on drug imports on the continent and address medical supply chain weaknesses linked to Covid-19, which currently exacerbate public health challenges in Africa.

The retail price of fuel in South Africa will increase by up to 43 cents a litre from Wednesday, while the wholesale cost of diesel will rise by as much as 55 cents, the mineral resources and energy department said on Monday. In a statement, it said the retail price of illuminating paraffin, which millions of South Africans still rely on for lighting and cooking, would also go up by 74 cents. However the price of liquefied petroleum gas — used as fuel in heating appliances, cooking equipment and vehicles — will decrease by 44 cents a litre.

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government and Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ) management are both confident that the suspension of direct flights between Durban’s King Shaka International Airport and London by British Airways will prove to be only a short-term measure, until the Covid-19 pandemic is brought under control. The UK airline announced the suspension of this service a few days before Christmas.  “[W]e understand the reasoning behind British Airways’ decision,” stated Dube TradePort... Читать дальше...

Renewable energy developer and operator Enel Group’s South African renewable energy subsidiary Enel Green Power (EGP) has successfully reached commercial operation of its 140 MW Nxuba wind farm in the Eastern Cape. The project, built at a cost of about €200-million, is expected to generate 460 GWh/y of energy.

Transport and freight bodies are calling on the South African government to roll out a public-private partnership (PPP) to help facilitate cross-border trade. This is in order to prevent “future disasters” at border posts, similar to the chaos seen at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe over the holiday period.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has announced the adjustment of fuel prices based on current local and international factors with effect from January 6. South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted on a monthly basis, informed by international and local factors.

Electricity utility Eskom reported on Monday that Koeberg Unit 1 would be taken offline for repairs one month ahead of scheduled maintenance after an increasing leak rate was detected from one of the unit’s three steam generators. Eskom said in a statement that the leak rate was “well within the safety limits” and posed “no risk to plant, personnel, or the environment”. It also described the decision to take the unit offline as a conservative one.

For the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to deliver on its promises, the private and public sectors on the continent must work together, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) executive secretary Vera Songwe has said. At the virtual launch of trading on the AfCFTA on January 1, Songwe said, if done properly, AfCFTA “will be the plan that turbo charges investment, innovation and ultimately growth and prosperity for Africa.”

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Nedbank have partnered to increase financing for renewable energy projects in South Africa in an effort to help the country transition to cleaner forms of power, reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and create jobs in the renewable energy sector.   Being the third investment dedicated to green finance in South Africa’s financial sector, the IFC will provide Nedbank with a loan of up to $200-million to help it expand... Читать дальше...

Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) employee Rachel Kobo has been named ‘Best Apprentice’ – a title given to only a handful of top young talent across the Volkswagen group. Kobo was among 50 young men and women worldwide to be chosen to receive this accolade, which recognises outstanding performance from young employees within the German car manufacturer.

UK-based global major aerospace and defence group BAE Systems and British specialist uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) small and medium enterprise (SME) UAVTEK have partnered to develop a nano-UAV for military use that can operate in severe wind conditions. Known as the Bug, the nano-UAV successfully demonstrated its capabilities at the UK’s Army Warfighting Experiment, held near the end of last year. An initial 30 units have already been delivered to the British Army. The Bug is not the first nano-UAV to be developed... Читать дальше...

An international consortium led by French energy group Total has struck an exploration and production deal for the North Ras Kanayis offshore block in the Herodotus Basin off the coast of Egypt, Total said on Monday. The exploration block covers an area of 4 550 km2, extending from 5 km to 150 km from the shore, with water depths ranging from 50m to 3,200m, added the company.

South Africa's rand kicked off 2021 on a strong note in early Monday trade, as investors pinned their hopes on a COVID-19 vaccination programme, while firmer commodity prices lifted stocks. At 0712 GMT the rand was 0.61% firmer at 14.5637 against the dollar from a December 31 close at 14.6700.

Liquor manufacturers and distributors association the South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) reports that, while there has been widespread compliance by the general public in relation to new alcohol regulations, law enforcement agencies need to be rigorous in dealing with illegal alcohol sales and the production of counterfeit products. Currently, alcohol sales and the private transportation of alcoholic products are banned for 14 days (from December 29) under the adjusted Covid-19... Читать дальше...

JSE-listed petrochemicals giant Sasol says the divestment of its 50% interest in the Gemini high-density polyethylene (HDPE) joint venture to Ineos Olefins and Polymers US successfully closed on December 31, making Ineos the 100% owner of the asset. Gemini is a toll manufacturer of bimodal HDPE products.

At least 67% of South Africans will need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to ensure herd immunity, health minister Zweli Mkhize has announced during a public briefing. On Sunday, Mkhize unveiled the government's strategy to secure vaccines and roll them out to two-thirds of South Africa's 57-million citizens, saying the government was currently in discussions with several manufacturers.

It was by coincidence rather than design that the African market got bigger on the same day that Europe shrunk. Britain exited the EU on the first day of this year, just as African countries started trading under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. This agreement is set to create a tariff-free, single market for all of Africa's 1.27 billion people. Implementation of the free trade agreement had to be postponed by six months due to delays related to Covid-19 lockdowns, which saw closed borders and travel restrictions. Читать дальше...