Новости за 05.08.2021

In a long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, President Cyril Ramaphosa on August 5 announced the appointment of Enoch Godongwana as Finance Minister. This follows the resignation of Tito Mboweni.

The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) is appealing to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to reconsider its rejection of the Karpowership South Africa's (SA's) environmental-impact assessment (EIA) applications. The EIAs were submitted for three locations – the port of Ngqura, Saldanha Bay and Richards Bay.

South African private-sector regional airline Airlink announced on Thursday that it would restart its direct service between Johannesburg and Nampula in Mozambique. The service would recommence on September 16. Bookings had already been reopened for the route, which had been suspended in March last year. Nampula is the third biggest city in Mozambique and capital of the province of the same name. It is located 194 km inland of the port cities of Nacala and Mozambique.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) says its spokesperson Sidwell Medupe has died from Covid-19-related complications, at the age of 56. “I take this opportunity on behalf of the Deputy Ministers, the DTIC family and my family to offer our sincere condolences to his wife Felicity and his children, Tlholo, Tirisano and Thoriso and his grandchildren Remofilwe and Reabetswe.

Professional services firm PwC’s ‘Executive directors’ practices and remuneration trends’ report, released on August 5, finds that companies’ journeys to what it says is “fair pay” requires them to embrace inclusivity and diversity, as well as an internal culture of belonging. In defining what is required to reach fair pay, PwC reward analytics head Andreas Horak says there are four basic reasons why fair pay is a critical business aspect that needs to be dealt with, but primarily fair pay is “just the right thing to do”.

Renewable energy company Enel Green Power (EGP) South Africa is contributing to the country’s renewable energy industry, as well as undertaking various initiatives to uplift communities locally, speakers said during a virtual media roundtable hosted by the company on August 5. EGP has 12 wind and solar plants in South Africa. This entails nine projects in operation and three under construction, EGP South Africa country manager Willian Price outlined.

JSE-listed midtier miner Afrimat on August 5, during an investor day, outlined its expectations on when its latest acquisitions will start contributing to the group’s results, as well as how the company will go about driving growth going forward. Most of the acquisition activity in the financial year ended February 28, and to date, has been in the company’s bulk commodities segment.

JSE-listed retail landlord EPP is responding to the global rise in pet ownership and the needs of its pet-owning community by welcoming pets at the company’s shopping centres. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has seen a significant increase in the adoption of dogs and cats as people were forced to spend more time at home. The spike in pet adoptions symbolises the compassion and companionship strongly desired during a time of isolation, EPP said in a statement on August 5.

While macroeconomic uncertainties remain, trading is positive for paper and packaging manufacturer Mondi, which expects to see the full impact of the price increases implemented to date and the continued contribution from its capital investment projects during the second half of this year.

Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has welcomed the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU’s) announcement that it is ready to investigate alleged tender irregularities at the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) dating back to 2012. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of the Proclamation R33 of 2021, which gave a green light to the SIU to probe allegations of corruption and maladministration in the department involving officials and IT company EOH.

South African paper and packaging business and recycler Mpact remains “firmly anchored” in its purpose of making a difference by providing customers with sustainable packaging and giving effect to the circular economy through its integrated business model. CEO Bruce Strong said on August 5 that the company’s results for the six months ended June 30, showed “tremendous resilience” and was demonstrated by the “pleasing financial results for the first half of the year”.

Audi South Africa will go full throttle on electric vehicles (EVs) next year, when it plans to introduce six electric models across three different model ranges to the local market. The follows the announcement earlier this year by the German luxury brand that by 2026 every new Audi model launched on the global market will be all-electric.

Earth observation data services and products organisation Digital Earth Africa signed an agreement on Thursday with the South African National Space Agency (Sansa), which will see the latter host the former’s Programme Management Office (PMO). Digital Earth Africa exists to provide partners (governments, private sectors, scientists, civil society organisations) across Africa with analyses and products derived from Earth observation data, in order to facilitate sustainable development. “It has always... Читать дальше...

JSE-listed technology services company EOH has  been approved for secondary listing on A2X Markets and its ordinary shares will be available for trade from August 13. “EOH’s decision to list on A2X will give our shareholders access to an additional platform with lower transaction fees. This is in line with the group’s commitment to continuously find ways to increase value for shareholders,” says EOH FD Megan Pydigadu.

Renowned US helicopter manufacturer Bell Textron this week unveiled design concepts for future high-speed vertical take-off and landing (HSVTOL) aircraft. These design concepts make use of technologies being developed by the company, which is part of the Textron group. HSVTOL technology would allow Bell to develop aircraft that would combine the ability to hover like a helicopter with the capabilities of a fighter aircraft, including speed, survivability and range. The design concepts possess cruise speeds of more than 400 knots... Читать дальше...

Pulp and paper producer Sappi has posted a profit of $18-million for the quarter ended June 30 – the third quarter of its 2021 financial year – compared with a loss of $73-million recorded in the third quarter of 2020. Earnings a share, excluding special items, were $0.05, compared with a loss a share of $0.10 reported for the prior comparable period.

Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) executive director Dr Crispian Olver says delaying South Africa’s transition away from coal will only add to the final adjustment costs and will also place the domestic business sector at a competitive disadvantage as other countries implement measures to restrict trade in carbon-intensive products. Speaking during a virtual event hosted by the Canadian High Commission this week on the role of the mining sector in the just energy transition, Olver said South... Читать дальше...

Energy and chemicals company Sasol has committed R10-million to help rebuild businesses and communities that have been devastated by the recent unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.  The funds were raised through corporate donation, employee giving mobilisation and small, medium-sized and microenterprise support.

Mauritian private investment entity Lonsa Group has acquired the majority shareholding in Everite, the industrial manufacturer of a range of building products for the commercial, industrial and residential markets. The R600-million deal includes Everite’s assets, businesses and companies, including Sky Sands and Sheet-rite.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoys on Investment have expressed their concern about the recent violence, destruction and loss of life in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng. The investment envoys are Phumzile Langeni, Jeffrey Radebe, Derek Hanekom, Mcebisi Jonas, Trevor Manuel and Jacko Maree.

Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about what South Africa is aiming to achieve at the upcoming COP26 climate negotiations, what a just transition could look like for South Africa and the main risks to achieving a successful just energy transition.