Новости за 22.04.2021

Trade union Uasa has demanded that financially-embattled State-owned defence industrial group Denel reconsider the changes the company plans to make to its retrenchment policy. “Policy changes regarding workers’ rights should not happen to the detriment of our members and other workers employed at State-owned weapon manufacturer Denel,” asserted the union. Although Uasa was ready and willing to consult with Denel, this readiness should not be abused by the company to carry out exploitative and unfair actions. Читать дальше...

Industry association the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) has questioned the need for the creation of a a State Digital Infrastructure Company (SDIC) and High-Performance Computing and Data Processing Centre (HPCDPC), as outlined in the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies' (DCDT's) draft National Data and Cloud Policy. The plan aims to consolidate excess capacity of publicly-funded data centres and deliver processing, data facilities and cloud computing capacity. Читать дальше...

Independent power generation company Globeleq and renewable energy independent power producer (IPP) Sturdee Energy Southern Africa have been awarded preferred bidder status for two 15 MW projects in the first tranche eSwatini’s procurement programme for new renewable generation capacity. Globeleq says it welcomes the opportunity to support the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority strategy to increase domestic power generation and reduce reliance on imported power.

Medical products regulator the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has launched the Med Safety mobile app for self-reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by the public and healthcare professionals, it said on April 22. The app is designed to simplify and promote the reporting of suspected ADRs, including adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) by the public and healthcare providers.

State-owned energy research organisation the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) on April 22 said the results of an independent study of two sites in KwaZulu-Natal have confirmed the benefits of passive cooling, also called cool surfaces. This has further motivated SANEDI to continue promoting cool surfaces as an energy-efficient alternative to mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

The initial outbreak of avian influenza H5 on a layer farm on the East Rand of Johannesburg has now been identified as highly pathogenic avian influence (HPAI) H5N1, industry organisation the South African Poultry Association (Sapa) says. It notes that this is not the same strain as was experienced in June 2017; however, any outbreak of HPAI is treated as entirely serious and virulent, and the poultry industry remains in a state of high alert.

Cabinet has approved the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan, which Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane says will facilitate the preservation of R189-billion of value. The plan is also expected to enable the tourism sector to recover to 2019 output and employment levels by 2023.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti has encouraged African countries to sustain Covid-19 prevention measures and urged countries not to let their guards down as the world races to vaccinate their populations. Moeti said on Thursday that despite the challenges and stories circulating about the vaccine, people must have confidence in the WHO guidance.

Dental product manufacturer Colgate on April 22 launched its recyclable toothpaste tube in South Africa to coincide with Earth Day. Made from number two high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the new tubes will contain one of three Colgate Naturals toothpaste, including its charcoal, hemp seed oil and aloe vera variants of toothpaste.

Telecommunications regulator the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has called for written comments on the review of the Information and Communications Technology Covid-19 National Disaster Regulations. The issues of consultation in the submissions must include the temporary assignment of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) radio frequency spectrum to address challenges posed by the pandemic, current radio frequency spectrum sharing arrangements and obligations... Читать дальше...

South Africa’s Nedbank Group released an ambitious new energy policy on April 22, containing a commitment to reduce its exposure to all fossil fuels to zero by 2045, as well as a pledge to halt all new thermal coal-mine financing by January 1, 2025. Simultaneously, Nedbank said it would scale up its renewable-energy commitments, announcing a target for R2-billion-worth of embedded-generation financing by 2022, in addition to the R50-billion limits already committed to South Africa’s Renewable Energy... Читать дальше...

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (Nasa’s) latest Mars mission has recorded another first. Yet another technology demonstration unit carried to the Red Planet by the Perseverance lander has demonstrated success. This technology demonstrator is named the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilisation Experiment, acronymned to Moxie. (Moxie is also an American slang word with the several meanings: showing determination and spirit, perseverance; energy, vigor, verve; and skill or ...

Stakeholders in the footwear and leather sector have committed themselves to transferring skills and rebuilding capacity. The commitment emanated from two site visits by the Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina at Planets Events Shoes and Neptun Boot, in KwaZulu-Natal, on April 22.

Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa (DTBSA) is expanding its used-truck business through TruckStore, as part of a programme to double its used-truck sales. Another significant driver is the growing demand for pre-owned trucks in the domestic Covid-19-hit economy.

Family farming organisation Saai and employers’ organisation the National Employers Association of South Africa (Neasa) on April 22 signed a partnership agreement to bridge labour issues in the agriculture sector and to assist farmers with labour problems, as well as influencing policy-making. This partnership means that talks and negotiations with trade unions and the government will take place and that strategic guidance will be given to small and medium-sized businesses and farming enterprises... Читать дальше...

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has appointed Unathi Kamlana as the commissioner of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) for a period of five years. He will start as FSCA commissioner on June 1, with Kamlana currently employed at the Prudential Authority of the South African Reserve Bank, where he is the department head responsible for policy, statistics and industry support.

The University of Pretoria (UP) has appointed Kuseni Dlamini chairperson of the University Council, with effect from April 1. The 30-member council of the 113-year-old university is responsible for governance, policymaking and monitoring. That includes setting down guidelines relating to strategic and financial governance and disciplinary matters; fostering a positive academic atmosphere; and formulating the university’s admission and language policies.

Cabinet has welcomed the recommendation by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority regarding the lifting of the temporary pause placed on the Johnson & Johnson Sisonke Vaccination Programme, but did not immediately announce an end to the suspension following its Wednesday meeting, which was also the first physical meeting of Cabinet since the introduction of the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Acting Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, confirmed on Thursday that Cabinet... Читать дальше...

Diversified miner Exxaro Resources has elected the group’s climate change specialist Dr Lerato Khumalo as vice-chairperson for the Industry Task Team on Climate Change (ITTCC). The voluntary, nonprofit association comprises several local energy-intensive companies across different business sectors, including the likes of Exxaro, Sasol and Anglo American, which will collaborate to reduce South Africa’s carbon footprint.

There is a “very real danger” that fleet owners may be stuck with stranded assets if they do not time the change-over to battery electric or fuel-cell vehicles correctly, says GridCars MD Winstone Jordaan. GridCars is a South African EV charging solution specialist.

Energy and marine equipment manufacturer Wärtsilä has partnered with youth entrepreneurship and skills development initiative Ambitious.Africa to foster sustainable development. The partners will connect students, entrepreneurs, start-up companies, financiers and various stakeholders from Africa and Europe to address common challenges through a novel approach aimed at empowering future generations.

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) and Japan Water Works Association (JWWA) are collaborating to improve water management within South Africa and Japan’s municipalities. A letter of intent (LoI) was entered into on April 21 to share information, improve public health, enhance and develop safe and sufficient water management and supply.

The planned strike action by the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) at Rand Water has been suspended. This followed an urgent interdict application made by Rand Water to the Labour Court, in Johannesburg on April 21.