Новости за 15.02.2021

Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has described the plan, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation (SONA) address, to lift the licence-exemption threshold for distributed-generation plants as “one of the easier decisions” government could make in the near-term to alleviate stress on the utility, which is having to resort to regular load-shedding to mitigate supply shortfalls. Asked during a virtual event hosted by the Free Market Foundation if there were any immediate changes that... Читать дальше...

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala on February 15 officially opened the R252-million Anton Lembede Mathematics, Sciences and Technology Academy, in Durban. The academy comprises 20 classrooms, one specialist classroom, a library, three computer laboratories and an administration block.

Specialist loss adjustment company Insurance Claims Africa (ICA) says in a statement that it believes businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector are a step closer to having their claims resolved fairly as insurer Santam has abandoned its intended appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), save for the question of the length of the indemnity period.      On February 16, the Western Cape High Court will hear Santam’s application for leave to appeal against the judgment upholding, in all respects... Читать дальше...

As part of its Human Capital Development programme, provincial State entity and film industry support organisation, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Film Commission has launched the Drone Technology Training programme. Since 2014, when the KZN Film Commission says the use of drones in filmmaking became legal, aerial footage captured by drones has become common.

The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has assured the public that the Koeberg nuclear power station, in Cape Town, is not discharging harmful radiation into the environment. The NNR was responding to media coverage suggesting that the outer shell of the containment building at the power station were damaged and were not effectively protecting the environment from radiation.

A Kenyan gold asset with expansion, exploration and green status upside is scheduled to reverse list on to the London Stock Exchange in March. The Kilimapesa gold mine, with a declared Jorc resource of 670 000 oz, is an operating three-adit asset with fairly extensive underground development and 6 000 oz a year production.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) chairperson Leonard Ramatlakane welcomed rail commuters upon the resumption of service on the Cape Town to Langa line on February 15. Ramatlakane reiterated that PRASA owed it to communities to reintroduce a reliable, safe and affordable public transport option during Covid-19 and difficult economic times.

Privately-owned regional airline Airlink plans to launch a new direct service between Cape Town and Walvis Bay, in Namibia, commencing on March 2. Air Namibia, the country’s national carrier, halted flights on February 11, pending voluntary liquidation, with all aircraft being grounded at base and bookings cancelled indefinitely.

Security and medical response platform Aura has launched a WhatsApp security chatbot in partnership with stolen vehicle recovery specialist Tracker. Powered by Aura, the Tracker CareGuard service promises rapid mobile emergency response anywhere, anytime within South Africa.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) in its latest 'Global Risks Report 2021' finds that Covid-19 has not only claimed millions of lives, but also risks widened long-standing health, economic and digital disparities. The WEF, together with report collaborators professional services firms Marsh McLennan, SK Group and Zurich Insurance Group, say minorities who were disadvantaged before the pandemic could be at risk of missing pathways to the new and fairer societies that the recovery could unlock.

As the Covid-19 pandemic and resultant restrictions necessitate a move online for citizens and businesses, broadband is playing an essential role that should be embraced. With the emergence of new technologies, new advanced instruments and tools for online engagement, networking and businesses that are digitised means that, in the future, businesses are going to be heavily reliant on broadband access for reliable and fast Internet connection.

German vehicle manufacturer Daimler says it plans a fundamental change in its structure, “designed to unlock the full potential of its businesses in a zero-emissions, software-driven future”.  The supervisory board and the board of management of Daimler says they have agreed to evaluate a spin-off of its truck and bus business, and to begin preparations for a separate listing of Daimler Truck.

The swift allocation of high-demand spectrum is the “low-hanging” fruit toward international investor confidence and growth, said RMB Corporate and Investment banking division telecoms, media and technology sector head Thobeka Tubela. However, like in many countries worldwide, South Africa’s ongoing spectrum process is sensitive and politically charged, requiring a delicate balancing act to ensure social fairness and the best outcome for the country.

The deployment of fibre infrastructure by Vox subsidiary Frogfoot has been boosted by access to debt facilities to fund their fibre ambitions. The addition capital expenditure (capex) boost from mandated lead arranger Investec will enable Vox to continue to provide communities with fast and reliable fibre to both homes and businesses as demand continues to grow.

South Africa is apprehensive about striking a new trade deal with the US and would rather maintain existing relations with the world’s largest economy, the nation’s top trade official said. South Africa is currently party to the so-called Generalised System of Preferences and the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or Agoa, which together allow most sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for almost 7 000 products.

A research initiative launched by independent nonprofit economic research institution Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) aims to support sustainable finance reforms in favour of local green enterprises (LGEs) and identify and unlock barriers that green and social entrepreneurs face. The aim is to promote small and social enterprises, and the initiative aims to gain a deeper understanding of the business challenges facing green and social entrepreneurs in South Africa in order to develop... Читать дальше...

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Fikile Majola says the concession agreement awarded to MTP Aviation Solutions by the Lesedi local municipality must benefit a significant percentage of communities that reside in and around the facility as well. The Lesedi municipality awarded a 60-year concession to MTP Aviation Solutions for the design, development, operation and management of the Heidelberg Aerodrome, which will be developed in accordance with an approved master plan with a strong emphasis on air cargo.

Industry body the Africa Solar Industry Association (Afsia) has published its first yearly 'Africa Solar Outlook' report, which provides clear and concise information about the solar dynamics in each country in Africa to help solar professionals make decisions, says Afsia CEO John van Zuylen. The report reviews the key drivers for successful solar developments in each country and provides snapshots of their statuses and latest developments.

In his February 13 State of the Nation Address (SoNA), President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted factors that will serve to lift the economy, tackle Covid-19 and boost ailing electricity infrastructure, says Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso. Of particular interest, she says, was the four priorities of defeating Covid-19, driving an economic recovery, making reforms to improve inclusive growth and a rapid expansion of energy generating capacity were “spot on”.

South African emerging domestic natural gas and helium producer Renergen on February 15 unveiled its Covid-19 transportation solution, the Cryo-Vacc. The Cryo-Vacc has been designed to keep Covid-19 vaccines ultra-cold during transportation for up to 30 days, allowing for the vaccines to be transported over longer distances and to reach remote areas.

JSE-listed technology company Adapt IT Holdings has issued a further cautionary while a newly appointed independent expert reviews Huge Group’s buy-out offer. Adapt IT has appointed Nodus Capital TS to determine whether or not the consideration offered by Huge Group for Adapt IT shares is fair and reasonable to Adapt IT shareholders.

South Africa will reopen 20 land border crossings to allow normal travel, lifting restrictions implemented last month to control rising coronavirus infections, the Home Affairs Ministry said on Saturday. The ministry said land border points, including those with Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana, would reopen after being closed on January 11.

South African company Hydrox Holdings of Randburg is developing an advanced alkaline electrolyser to supply what it described as “huge hydrogen demand”. The zero gap system will be the first locally produced electrolyser for South Africa and Africa, Hydrox states in a media release to Mining Weekly.