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Messe Frankfurst South Africa MD Michael Dehn

Commercial vehicle industry poised to grow, grasp new opportunities despite challenges

Published: 08 May 24

The commercial vehicle industry in South Africa is getting to understand the opportunities in the automotive sector, such as in the autonomous vehicles space, despite various macroeconomic challenges, event organiser Messe Frankfurt South Africa MD Michael Dehn said during the Futureroad vehicle trade exhibition on May 3. He highlighted how the commercial vehicle industry continued to be a key driver of innovation and how it boosted the overall automotive industry’s ability to contribute 4.9% to gross domestic product and keep more than 110 000 people employed.

A graph showing the share of hydropower, solar and wind electricity generation growth

Renewables provided record 30% of global electricity in 2023, Ember says

Published: 08 May 24

Growth in solar and wind power pushed renewable generation to a record 30% of global electricity production in 2023, putting a global target to triple renewable capacity by 2030 within sight, a report by think tank Ember said. Cutting fossil fuel use and emissions in the power sector is seen as vital to meeting global climate targets. More than 100 countries at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai last year agreed to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Zimbabwe aims to use FDI to develop a competitive economy by 2030

Published: 07 May 24

Zimbabwe held an investment conference on May 2 and 3 in South Africa during which its officials explained that the country of 16-million people wants to use local and international investments into key sectors of its economy to further develop the country by 2030. This objective is encapsulated in its National Strategy Vision 2030 and, to attract investors, the country has entered into negotiations to settle compensation claims linked to land seizures from farmers two decades ago, as well as to settle its international debt default to tap into international finance markets.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel

Patel believes industrialist policy needs continued investment to yield full potential

Published: 07 May 24

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has called for rapid scaling up of infrastructure spending, among other urgent initiatives, to ensure current industrial policy can succeed. He was speaking at the launch of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (dtic’s) newly launched Industrial Policy and Strategy Review at the newly established Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), on May 7.

New rail-focused logistics organisation launched

Published: 07 May 24

A new logistics industry body the Multimodal Inland Port Association (MIPA), formed by organisations in the transportation sector, has been launched to enhance logistics performance, reduce costs and boost efficiency. The association is dedicated to improving Southern Africa's supply chain. Specifically, the MIPA aims to optimise efficiency and cost-effectiveness by increasing cargo transportation on rail through the use of more inland ports.

New fellowship programme, to bring researchers into government policymaking, launched

Published: 07 May 24

The pilot phase of a joint programme of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), to bridge the gap between government and academia, was officially launched on Tuesday. Called the DSI-NRF Policy Placement Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme, it is intended to allow excellent researchers and academics to contribute directly to government agencies and inform their policy-making processes. “This programme fills two very important gaps: one in which we ...

Winners of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy

South African company comes second in Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy competition

Published: 07 May 24

The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation have announced Aftrak and Omnivat as winners of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy – a $2-million innovation competition to reward entrepreneurs working to expand access to reliable, affordable and sustainable offgrid electricity in Africa. Aftrak, an initiative based out of the UK and Malawi, was awarded the $1-million grand prize for its easily assembled solar microgrid and custom-designed tractors, which have tripled agricultural yield, increased farmer incomes and provided electricity to remote communities.

Image of Goodyear South Africa (SA) MD Paul Gerrard

Goodyear South Africa appoints new MD

Published: 07 May 24

Goodyear South Africa (SA) has appointed Paul Gerrard as its new MD, starting from May 1. Gerrard takes over from Richard Fourie, who led the company for two years.

Image of Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council chief trade and research officer Dr Norman Lamprecht

Auto exports soar to new record; shift to EVs sees drop in catalytic converter numbers

Published: 07 May 24

Despite a tough domestic economy undermining a recovery in new-vehicle sales to pre-pandemic levels, record vehicle exports in 2023 ensured that the South African automotive sector still managed to outperform the rest of the manufacturing sector, says Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council chief trade and research officer Dr Norman Lamprecht. The value of vehicles and automotive components exported from South Africa last year increased by R43.5-billion, or 19.1%, from the R227.3-billion recorded in 2022, to a record R270.8-billion – taking it to 14.7% of total South African exports.

World Bank suggests actions for lower-emission agricultural land use

Published: 07 May 24

The World Bank has outlined in a report the actions that every country can take to make the global agrifood system more sustainable and achieve markable reductions in greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. The bank says the world is faced with a largely misunderstood reality in that the system that feeds us is also feeding the planet’s climate crisis.