Новости за 08.07.2021

Infrastructure development group Bigen has appointed Luthando Vutula, previously the CEO of Ubank, to succeed Dr Snowy Khoza, as of October 1. Khoza will be retiring from the group in December.

The 6 000 m2 mixed-use precinct Castle Gate Lifestyle Centre, in Pretoria, will get a Planet Fitness gym and 3 500 m2 of premium office space added to it at a cost of R150-million, property developer and investor Atterbury says. Construction of the gym and office building is under way and progressing well. The structure comprises two wings that are about equal in size, with one to be occupied by Planet Fitness and the other to be used for offices.

The South African wine industry is at a tipping point, with many wine businesses, especially smaller companies and those under black ownership, facing potential closure in the next three to twelve months owing to the recurring bans on the sale of alcohol. According to the ‘Impact of Covid-19 on the Wine Value-Chain Survey’ conducted by industry body Vinpro among wine grape producers, wineries and other wine-related businesses in early July, 58% of the 549 respondents indicated that their businesses... Читать дальше...

The Namibian government has appointed professional services network Deloitte Emerging Markets and Africa MD Dr Martyn Davies to its Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Task Force. The eight-member panel, which was announced this week and was appointed by President Hage Geingob of Namibia, is set to assist the Namibian government to prepare for 4IR during a 12-month tenure.

The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and International Convention Centre has received its energy performance certificate with a rating of B, says South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) energy efficiency and corporate communications GM Barry Bredenkamp. “The facility is comprehensive, with the main building about 14 500 m2 in size. The energy requirements are significant, and the rating is to be applauded.”

More companies are looking to digital adoption platforms (DAPs) to add value to and realise their technology investments. Digital adoption enables employees to fully understand the company’s digital tools and assets, thereby maximising the use of applications.

Financial services firm Nedbank and cloud infrastructure multinational Amazon Web Services (AWS) are providing 15 unemployed youths with free cloud computing skills development and job training through the AWS re/Start programme – a free, 12-week training programme covering fundamental AWS Cloud and practical career skills. The 15 youths were onboarded into Nedbank for 12 months of workplace training and skills development, and are joined in the AWS re/Start programme by five Nedbank employees who want to develop their cloud and digital skills... Читать дальше...

Investment holding company the Thesele consortium has concluded its acquisition of car rental chain Bidvest Car Rental (BCR) Group from JSE-listed investment management company Bidvest following approval by the competition authorities. The purchase includes the full portfolio of BCR, consisting of its car rental, chauffeur drive service, door-to-door transfer, van and truck rental, and the innovative Snappdrive keyless fleet service.

Macsteel Service Centres South Africa has appointed Tom Cowan COO. Cowan, who holds a mechanical engineering degree, has been in the steel industry for 29 years – all of which he has spent working for Macsteel.

Growing its ever increasing footprint in Africa, integrated logistics solutions provider Dubai Ports World (DP World) and the government of Somaliland have inaugurated a new container provider at Berbera port. This follows the completion of the first phase of the port’s expansion plan, as part of its development into a major regional trade hub serving the Horn of Africa.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has committed its support to Côte d'Ivoire in building agricultural value chains to create more jobs and make economic growth more inclusive. Particularly, the bank will support the Ivorian government in the creation of agricultural value chains in banana, mango, palm oil, cashew, coffee and cocoa products.

International Air Transport Association (Iata) director-general Wille Walsh has criticised governments for their behaviour towards international air travel, as the Covid-19 pandemic begins, in many countries, to be brought under control. Governments were not being transparent or coherent regarding the restarting of air travel. “There’s still quite some uncertainty out there,” he pointed out. “Advanced notice of any border openings would be very helpful [to airlines].”

ASX-listed Flight Centre Travel Group has unveiled a global retention programme which will see it give 1.9-million company shares to sales and support staff who continue their careers with the group during its expected recovery phase. The new Global Recovery Rights (GRR) programme will be offered to sales and support staff globally, including those in South Africa – where the group has been operating for more than 27 years – but will exclude board members and senior executives.

Satellite communications operator Eutelsat Communications has partnered with pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare to provide high-speed broadband Internet access to 13 Covid-19 vaccination centres in Mpumalanga. The socioeconomic development partnership, which is cofounded by the two companies, will see Eutelsat’s Konnect satellite broadband connecting the Department of Health’s (DoH’s) electronic vaccination data system (EVDS) which preregisters, admits and discharges vaccination clients at the vaccination centres.

Collective solutions are critical to putting an end to the scourge of drunk driving in South Africa, with public-private partnerships being posited as a solution, South African Breweries (SAB) director of communities Heidi Bartis said this week. She pointed out that such partnerships are already assisting in evidence-based solutions to the deadly problem.

Utilising its partnerships with the National Railways of Zimbabwe, CFM Caminhos de Ferro de Mocambique and Traxtion, Unitrans Africa has opened a dedicated rail service between Maputo port and three major Zimbabwean trade hubs – Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru.  Until now this key section of rail has been largely underutilised, says Unitrans.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which is the global representative body of the airline industry, is seeing some encouraging signs of recovery in the industry. “There is some optimism about the airline industry, but [also] reasons to be cautious,” Iata senior economist Ezgi Gulbas told reporters participating in the virtual Iata Global Media Days 2021 on Wednesday afternoon. Growth in the air cargo sector has been strong. Global demand in May this year was 9.4% higher than in May... Читать дальше...

Global infrastructure-led supply chain solutions provider Dubai Ports World (DP World) has made a R12.7-billion offer to acquire 100% of Imperial, the JSE-listed logistics and market access specialist. The United Arab Emirates-based group is offering R66 a share (cash) to acquire all outstanding shares in Imperial.