Новости за 02.12.2021

South Africa is seeing an increase in Covid-19 reinfections due to the Omicron variant but symptoms for reinfected patients and those infected after vaccination appear to be mild, a scientist studying the outbreak of the new strain said. The new variant, which has caused global fears of a surge in infections, was first detected in southern Africa and is fast overtaking Delta to become the dominant variant in South Africa, where case numbers are rising dramatically.

State-owned power utility Eskom is making progress with repairs to a damaged cable that caused electricity supply interruptions at the Bedfordview substation and expects to fully restore supply by December 4. Eskom reports that it has started working on the second joint, after successfully completing the first joint of the damaged cable, despite challenges posed by the rain.

South Africa's food security is linked to the competitiveness of its agricultural production. Therefore, improving productivity through innovation and global best practices will support food security amid challenges, including climate change, local electricity and water supply constraints, as well as logistics challenges, outgoing agricultural business organisation Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) CEO Dr John Purchase has said. Providing an overview of agricultural business in South Africa during... Читать дальше...

JSE-listed engineering and construction group Murray & Roberts (M&R) expects to growth its order book beyond the current level of R60-billion on the back of growing demand for its services. “Over the next three years, the group expects most of its revenue to be generated by its two international business platforms, being the mining and the energy, resources and infrastructure platforms,” M&R said in a business update released to coincide with its seventy-third annual general meeting.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has warned that if more people don't have themselves vaccinated voluntarily, mandatory orders could be implemented. Speaking during an update on the province's Covid-19 situation, the premier lamented the low vaccination turnout. So far, more than seven-million people in Gauteng are vaccinated. There are 755 210 people who have still not shown up for their second Pfizer jabs. The West Rand has the highest vaccination rate at 45%. He said the low vaccination levels were worrying... Читать дальше...

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has decided to terminate the employment of its group CEO Zolani Kgosietsile Matthews, following the outcome of an investigation. The investigation was intended to establish whether Matthews deliberately failed to disclose material information to PRASA in respect of his dual citizenship.

The Altron Fintech Household Financial Resilience Index (Afhri) for the second quarter has confirmed that the average household in South Africa enjoys a more advantageous disposition towards incurring and managing debt than before the Covid-19-pandemic. The results of the Afhri index released in August also showed this, meaning that the long-term upward trend in the index is likely to continue in 2022.

With delays at the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border post on the Maputo corridor between South Africa and Mozambique having cost trucking companies R1.3-billion in lost revenue this year, the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) and the Minerals Council South Africa have requested the South African government to take urgent steps to address severe congestion at the border post. The SAAFF and the Minerals Council report that truck transporters confirm that border crossing times are the worst they have experienced in 15 years.

State-owned power utility Eskom, South Africa’s largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, is not adapting to change fast enough, as the world races to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by adopting greener energy solutions, says local energy services company LTM Energy CEO Dhevan Pillay. South Africa is the fifteenth largest carbon emitter globally, with Eskom responsible for about 43% of the country’s total carbon emissions, owing to its significant reliance on coal-fired power to generate electricity. Читать дальше...

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has issued a stern warning against illegal water use, while also reiterating government’s commitment to enhancing the provision of water to affected communities in different parts of the country. Speaking during the National Assembly question and answer session on December 1, he said the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) was mandated by the Constitution to provide water for all citizens and was working tirelessly to ensure it upholds its constitutional mandate.

Use renewables to cut carbon and create hydrogen, and then use the hydrogen that has been created to replace diesel. Anglo American CE Mark Cutifani proposed this climate blueprint while also outlining his London- and Johannesburg-listed mining company’s entry into crop nutrients that can free up land for carbon sinks.

In this opinion article, Standard Bank head of trade Justin Milo and head of product Nompilo Mtshali write about the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for South Africa's importers and exporters.

Automakers must work closer with lithium producers to guarantee supply of specialized types of the white metal that boost an electric vehicle's range and performance, Albemarle Corp and Livent Corp executives told the Reuters Next conference https://reutersevents.com/events/next on Wednesday. As EVs go mainstream, automakers are planning models that can run longer before recharging and handle different weather conditions. Batteries for such EVs typically are made with a type of lithium known as hydroxide... Читать дальше...

Global wind power group Iberdrola and Swedish startup H2 Green Steel plan to build a vast renewable hydrogen plant on the Iberian peninsula to power the production of iron used to make steel with drastically reduced carbon emissions. The European Union is pushing the development of a supply chain for "green" hydrogen - made by splitting water molecules with renewable electricity - to replace the millions of tonnes of "grey" hydrogen - made with coal or natural gas - that its industry consumes every year.