Новости за 22.11.2021

As Eskom Holdings prepares to talk to investors about plans to address a multibillion-dollar debt load, the performance of the company’s bonds already suggests some skepticism from bondholders. The yield premium of Eskom’s 2028 dollar bonds without a government guarantee over those with state backing has widened almost 50 basis points since the beginning of October to the most in four months. The state-owned electricity company has 402 billion rand ($26 billion) of debt, of which about 70% is guaranteed by the government.

South Africa, while struggling with short-term demands of expanding the social wage or safety net for those that would have missed being absorbed into the economy, should pursue long-term economic growth and employment creation, which has not received much attention and has generally fluctuated along with global markets and commodity cycles, says professional services multinational KPMG South Africa lead economist Frank Blackmore. The company's chief economists in various countries globally this... Читать дальше...

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in collaboration with business formation Business Unity South Africa (Busa) has launched a free-to-use Labour Advice mobile application (app) aimed at offering practical labour-related guidance and support to South African small businesses and other interested persons. To give effect to the priorities in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, specifically the need to “increase employment through faster economic growth” and “to improve the quality of education... Читать дальше...

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Business School has introduced a new stream in its existing Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Management in the field of Energy Leadership, which offers a specialisation in electricity. Additionally, the South African-German Energy Programme and Capacitates for the Energy Transition (SAGEN-CET), a programme implemented by German development agency GIZ, is offering a limited number of bursaries for students who choose the electricity stream course as part of their PGDip at Wits Business School.

The South African Plastics Pact, which aims to have 100% of plastic packaging be reusable, recyclable or compostable, 70% of plastic packaging be effectively recycled and a 30% minimum average recycled content across all plastic packaging by 2025, as well as take action against problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging, has published its first baseline report on members' progress in achieving these targets. The report highlights brand owners and retailers with their own brands, as the key part... Читать дальше...

Telecommunications giant MTN has partnered with banking group Nedbank to enable Mobile Money (MoMo) customers to withdraw cash at all Nedbank ATMs or any of the participating retail stores, such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, OK Foods and USave, across South Africa at competitive rates. The move builds on MTN’s efforts to deploy mobile money solutions over the past year to drive greater financial inclusion for all South Africans.

Diversified group Barloworld is finally reaping the rewards of an extensive restructuring process. Announcing its financial results for the year ended September 30, the group saw operating profit from continuing operations improve by 119% year-on-year to R4.3-billion.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) on November 22 said Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe was responsible for the administration of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and that Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy was, therefore, not mandated to consider an application or to make a decision on the authorisation of a seismic survey being undertaken by oil and gas multinational Shell. "The impact of the... Читать дальше...

As Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) head for another legal showdown, attention has turned to the legality and practicality of the regulator’s “preferred option” and timetable for ensuring that a tariff determination is made in time for implementation on April 1 next year. In a letter to Eskom, dated November 12, Nersa outlined four options, including:

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) will host the South Africa-Kenya Trade and Investment Business Forum on November 23. The forum is aimed at increasing and diversifying levels of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and will take place at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, in Pretoria.

South Africa’s position in driving the continent’s transition to renewable energy has been confirmed with the launch of the first ever Solar Power Africa trade show. Organised by Messe Frankfurt, in partnership with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), Solar Power Africa 2022 is the first event of its kind dedicated solely to solar power and energy storage and is expected to attract over 100 exhibitors.

Independent power producer Earth & Wire has signed a letter of intent to launch a co-development cooperation programme with wind power manufacturer Vestas as a key part in the overall development of Earth & Wire's portfolio of renewable energy projects in South Africa. The portfolio comprises wind, solar, biomethanol and green hydrogen, battery storage and biomass project opportunities.