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SUSTAINED EFFORTS
The future of South Africa’s infrastructure depends on the sustained efforts to foster a skilled, innovative and adaptable engineering workforce

Strategic training vital

Published: 14 Jun 24

As South Africa continues to invest in its infrastructure, the role of institutions such as civil engineering industry body the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) in providing high-quality training will remain pivotal. The future of South Africa’s infrastructure depends on the sustained efforts of organisations such as SAICE to foster a skilled, innovative and adaptable engineering workforce, says SAICE 2025 president-elect Friedrich Slabbert, who adds that through SAICE’s comprehensive training programmes and strategic collaborations, the industry body not only enhances the capabilities of individual engineers but also contributes significantly to the country’s enhanced engineering skills.

ACHIEVING IMPROVEMENTS
By addressing challenges and leveraging innovation, South Africa can achieve significant improvements in its infrastructure

Innovation, investment key to advance infrastructure growth

Published: 14 Jun 24

While challenges such as funding constraints and skills shortages persist, the roads and bridges sector is poised for growth through strategic investments and technological advancements. By addressing challenges and leveraging innovation, South Africa can achieve significant improvements in its infrastructure, to the benefit of the economy and society, says civil engineering industry organisation South African Institution of Civil Engineering 2025 president-elect Friedrich Slabbert.

INTEGRAL CONNECTION
The Msikaba Bridge forms part of the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s N2 Wild Coast project.

‘Highly technical’ phases start at Msikaba

Published: 14 Jun 24

The Msikaba Bridge project, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, is progressing significantly, says construction company Concor project director Laurence Savage, who notes the structure is now entering technically challenging phases. The Msikaba Bridge forms part of the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s (Sanral’s) N2 Wild Coast project and is being constructed by a partnership between Concor and construction company Mecsa, namely the CME joint venture. Both companies are wholly black-owned, Construction Industry Development Board Grade 9CE-rated South African construction companies.

An image of Erudite electrical engineer Dr Mpho Sam Nkambule.

Engineer calls for urgent investment in youth

Published: 14 Jun 24

Youth unemployment is a pressing issue in South Africa, with Statistics South Africa reporting that, in the first quarter of 2024, of the 10.3-million young people aged 15 to 24, a staggering 35.5% were not in education, employment, or training. This highlights the urgency for companies to invest in youth development, notes prominent engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) company Erudite electrical engineer Dr Mpho Sam Nkambule. He emphasises that youth unemployment in South Africa is a complex issue with several contributing factors. One significant barrier is the financial cost of job-seeking. Nkambule cites the Siyakha Youth Assets for Employability Study by the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg, which reveals that young South Africans spend an average of R938 each month on job search expenses.

Barloworld profit dips as local mining industry slows

Published: 14 Jun 24

Barloworld’s South African businesses continued to face a myriad of challenging trading conditions, says CEO Dominic Sewela. Announcing the group’s financial results for the six months ended March 31, Sewela said at the end of May that Barloworld’s domestic operations had had to contend with a constrained local macroeconomic environment and inflationary cost pressures, as well as relatively higher borrowing costs affecting both businesses and households.

Poor roads, bad weather and weak used-car market dent Zeda’s profit

Published: 14 Jun 24

Poor road conditions, hailstorms, a shortage of car parts and a deteriorating used-car market converged to dent Zeda’s operating profit for the six months ended March 31. The integrated mobility solutions provider, active in the leasing, car rental and fleet management sectors, at the end of May reported a 19% jump in revenue, to R5.3-billion.

An image of BMW Group executives, including BMW Group CEO Peter van Binsbergen, at the BMW Group Plant Rosslyn Training Academy onboarding event

Youth empowered through manufacturer’s YES commitment

Published: 14 Jun 24

Automotive manufacturer BMW Group South Africa onboarded its 2024 cohort at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn Training Academy on May 7, marking its ongoing commitment to the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme, an initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment. During the event, BMW Group South Africa CEO Peter van Binsbergen expressed his pride in the YES Programme students, as they showed that young people “hold the key to great innovation”.

Eloise mine, Australia

Published: 14 Jun 24

A copper/gold/silver mine in North Queensland, Australia.

Mining production rose by a modest 0.7% y/y in April

Published: 13 Jun 24

Mining production rose by a modest 0.7% in April, after declining by -4.8% year-on-year – revised from -5.8% year-on-year – in March, data published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) shows. Commenting on the statistics, Investec economist Lara Hodes says output was weaker than consensus expectations of a 1.1% year-on-year increase in production.

South Africa preparing to pilot independent transmission projects to bolster grid’s renewables capacity

Published: 13 Jun 24

The National Treasury has confirmed that South Africa is moving to pilot a model that will enable the private sector to participate directly in the development and operation of transmission grid infrastructure, drawing lessons from the country’s experience in procuring generation capacity from independent power producers (IPPs). Deputy director-general Mmakgoshi Lekhethe reports that the model, which has been mooted by Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa for some time, is receiving priority attention in light of the scale of the investment required to unlock grid capacity for new renewables investment,