Новости за 07.12.2021

Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer has once again highlighted the utility’s liquidity crunch as a key constraint to the execution of its much-vaunted reliability maintenance programme, which is seen as key to reversing the poor operational performance of its aged coal fleet. The fleet’s energy availability factor has fallen to 64% year-to-date, resulting in 2021 becoming South Africa’s worst year yet for load-shedding.

South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 1.5% in the third quarter of the year. Stats SA’s figures show that the trade, catering and accommodation industry decreased by 5.5%, contributing -0.7 of a percentage point to GDP growth. Decreased economic activities were reported for wholesale, retail and motor trade; and catering and accommodation services.

Technical skills needed within the aviation industry have diminished during the Covid-19 pandemic as several air corridors scaled down operations and air traffic generally slowed down in comparison to pre-pandemic levels, aviation solutions company Safomar Aviation CEO Shai Shalem said on December 7. Speaking at the Commercial Aviation Symposium Africa, he said the negative impact on aircraft technical skills was characterised by a dramatic drop in aircraft passenger transport.

Europe-Africa energy cooperation foundation Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa's (Res4Africa's) 'Decarbonisation Roadmap for South Africa' report highlights the economic benefits of modernising and decarbonising the country's economy and demonstrates the broad international financial and technical support South Africa is receiving for raising and achieving its decarbonisation ambitions. These were some of the sentiments shared during the launch of the decarbonisation roadmap by regulators, researchers... Читать дальше...

US global major aerospace group Boeing announced on Tuesday that it was going to set up two more lines to convert its 737-800 single-aisle airliners into dedicated freighter aircraft (designated 737-800BCF, BCF standing for Boeing Converted Freighter). This is to meet the continuing current strong and forecast growing future demand. The two new lines will become operational next year, the first during the first quarter and the second by the end of the second quarter. The two new lines will be in China... Читать дальше...

An economic concentration study by the Competition Commission has revealed that, once markets are concentrated, they tend to become more concentrated and that more deliberate action is, therefore, required to change the trajectory of the economy. In addition, the report largely found South African economic conditions and structures to be hostile towards small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) and that this “undermines the inclusion and job creation potential of the economy”.

South African wine grape producers expect a good, but somewhat smaller, 2022 wine grape crop following a favourable and healthy season. This according to the first of four crop estimates to be issued by viticulturists and producer cellars, agricultural association Vinpro said on December 7.

Financial services provider Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has partnered with AB InBev’s corporate venture capital arm ZX Ventures to take an equity stake in alcohol-free South African drinks company The Duchess – creator of the world’s first alcohol-free gin and tonic. Launched in 2016, The Duchess has achieved multinational success by selling over eight-million bottles and winning the Best Adult Drink & Best New Drink Concept at the Global Innobev Awards.

The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) would approach the Constitutional Court early next year about proposals to implement mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations. During a keynote address at the twenty-sixth Nedlac Summit, on December 7, Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi said the social partners agree with President Cyril Ramaphosa that mandatory vaccinations are necessary to ultimately do away with lockdown restrictions.

The global representative body of the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (Iata), has warned that the reimposition of travel bans by governments could threaten the recovery of the sector. These bans were re-established in reaction to the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. “October’s traffic performance reinforces that people will travel when they are permitted to,” highlighted Iata director-general Willie Walsh. “Unfortunately, government responses to the emergence... Читать дальше...

Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) employee Zintle Mvana has been named one of the best apprentices in the global Volkswagen Group. This is an honour bestowed each year to only a handful of the German car maker’s top young talent across the world.

A Cape size vessel, about the length of three soccer fields, last week set sail from Grindrod’s Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM), carrying a parcel of 147 545 t of magnetite destined for China.  This is the biggest shipment in the port’s history – a new record since the shipment of 121 000 t in May this year.

The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) has opened a training academy (SAAFFTA) in an effort to address the skills shortage in the logistics industry.  “By 2030, demand for skilled workers will outstrip supply, resulting in a global talent shortage of more than 85.2-million people,” says the association.

Digital banking group Tyme has successfully secured investments from China-based internet and technology company Tencent and UK development finance institution CDC to complete its $180-million Series B capital raise. The investments from Tencent and CDC are pegged at an additional $70-million.

South Africa's gross domestic product contracted by 1.5% in the third quarter of the year on a quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjudged basis, according to Stats SA. The largest falls were in trade, manufacturing and agriculture. The decline brings to an end a period of tentative growth following a record GDP plunge in September last year. The economy grew by 1% in the first quarter and a revised 1.1% in the second quarter of 2021. On a year-on-year unadjusted basis, GDP grew by 2.9%. Market watchers... Читать дальше...

JSE-listed Tongaat Hulett has completed the refinancing of its existing South African debt facilities, including its remaining term debt, working capital facilities, a revolving credit facility and overdraft facilities. With the support of the South African lenders, the maturity of the existing senior debt facilities was extended to cater for the completion of the debt refinance, the terms of which have been revised from those agreed in a term sheet on June 12, owing to the impact on liquidity from... Читать дальше...

Dissolving wood pulp and paper-based solutions provider Sappi says that, as at the beginning of December, over 80% of its almost 5 000 South African employees have received at least one vaccine, while 73% are fully vaccinated. Sappi notes that as soon as it was allowed to open its own vaccinations centres in August, the company was able to overcome the logistical challenges for staff and their families to access vaccines.

Royal Dutch Shell faces a fresh legal challenge to its planed seismic survey off South Africa’s eastern coastline with local communities seeking to halt the program. The case, filed last week, comes after a South African High Court on Friday dismissed a request for an interdict from a group including Greenpeace. The petition had sought to stop the program on grounds including that it may cause irreparable harm to marine life and hurt the livelihoods of those who live off the sea.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille this week said she was pleased that the Small Harbours Repairs and Maintenance Programme was 94% complete and on track to be concluded in March 2022. The Minister on December 6 visited the Hermanus harbour to inspect the recent infrastructure upgrades by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

Thousands of striking workers at companies under Massmart Holdings in South Africa, which is owned by Walmart Inc, will return to work after reaching an agreement over disputes, a labour union said on Monday. The disgruntled workers had been on strike since Nov.19 over low wages, unilateral restructuring and changes to terms and conditions of employment.