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Some uncertainties remain around incoming visa regime changes

Published: 25 Apr 24

Government is changing the way the South African visa system works and immigration law experts have lauded this positive step to enable more foreign skilled labour into the country, but they stress that some clarifications are still needed. In a webinar on immigration in South Africa on April 25, law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) told stakeholders that the historical visa system had been cumbersome for many businesses – South African and international – looking to appoint skilled foreigners into their organisations.

Energy transition will take place in different ways at different rates in different regions

Published: 25 Apr 24

The energy transition – from high carbon-emitting energy sources to low and zero carbon-emitting energy sources – will vary across different regions and countries, pointed out TotalEnergies VP supply logistics Africa Sebastien Bariller. He was participating in a panel discussion at the 2024 African Refiners and Distributors Association conference, in Cape Town. The speed of the transition will also vary from region to region. There were three challenges involved in the energy transition, he cited. These were – ensuring that the world’s growing population had access to affordable energy; ensuring energy security; and ensuring safe and cleaner energy.

Panellists who participated in the webinar are (from left) Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa CEO Lehlohonolo Molloyi, Multotec CEO Thomas Holtz, Simera Trace technical director Kevin O'Neill, Epiroc digital solutions buisness line manager Vikesh Chiba and South African Capital Equipment Export Council CEO Eric Bruggeman.

Creativity, innovation keep South Africa’s mining tech manufacturing industry competitive

Published: 25 Apr 24

An admirable degree of creativity exists within the South African mining technology and equipment manufacturing sector, giving manufacturers the necessary flexibility to weather the significant challenges over the past few years, Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa CEO Lehlohonolo Molloyi has said. He was speaking as part of a panel in a webinar hosted by Creamer Media and sponsored by ABB, AECI Mining, Astron Energy and Epiroc, on April 24.

Tumble in storage battery costs to boost shift to renewables, says IEA

Published: 25 Apr 24

An expected sharp fall in battery costs for energy storage in coming years will accelerate the shift to renewable energy from fossil fuels, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday. While renewable energy by itself is already much cheaper than coal and gas-fired plants, weather can interrupt solar and wind power and must be paired with energy storage systems to provide reliable sources of energy.

South Africa makes second WTO complaint over EU citrus rules

Published: 25 Apr 24

South Africa has lodged a complaint against the European Union's (EU's) citrus black spot (CBS) regulations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said on Wednesday. The EU is a major market for South African citrus fruit, accounting for a third of its citrus exports and the move is the African country's second ever WTO complaint.

South Africa aims to set up three JET-aligned skills development zones

Published: 24 Apr 24

Three Just Energy Transition (JET) skills development zones focusing on renewables and grids, electric vehicles and green hydrogen value chains are proposed for implementation under the larger JET Investment Plan (JET-IP), for which pledges of $11.5-billion have been made by several developed countries. The zones will be anchored to specific educational institutions, most likely technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges selected for their proximity to the priority sectors, where education and training will be tailored towards a specific JET focus and where catalytic interventions will be undertaken and partnerships with business developed.

Changing business opportunities, challenges in Zimbabwe highlighted

Published: 24 Apr 24

Zimbabwe is undergoing change and aims to attract more companies to do business in the country, but risks and challenges remain for businesses aiming to capitalise on the opportunities in the country. These were some of the views raised by Zimbabwean and international representatives during an information session on 'Doing business in Zimbabwe' hosted by the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry this week.

PepsiCo Bašumi Trust wins awards at employee share ownership conference

Published: 24 Apr 24

Beverage multinational PepsiCo South Africa's employee share ownership programme Bašumi Trust has received the best governance policies and the most innovative funding model awards at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's Worker Share Ownership Conference on April 23. The best governance policies award recognises the Trust for demonstrating the most effective and transparent governance practices in selection of trustees, empowering workers, and promoting worker participation at the highest levels of decisionmaking.

Debt transparency needed as opaque resource-backed loans hinder African development – Adesina

Published: 24 Apr 24

African countries will pay $74-billion in debt service payments this year, which is a sharp increase from $17-billion in 2010, and the continent's economic potential is being undermined by non-transparent resource-backed loans that complicate debt resolution and compromise countries' future growth. "It is time to have accountability for debt transparency and ensure that opaque natural resource-backed loans end, because they complicate the debt issue and the debt resolution issue," said development finance institution African Development Bank (AfDB) president Akinwumi Adesina.

Flanagan & Gerard, Vukile acquire Mthatha shopping centre for R800m

Published: 24 Apr 24

Retail property specialist company Flanagan & Gerard Property Group and JSE-listed real estate investment trust Vukile Property Fund have jointly acquired the BT Ngebs City regional shopping centre, in Mthatha, for R800-million and each will hold an equal share. The companies will also undertake major refurbishment at the centre to improve the overall retail experience for customers.