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Can South Africa turn around 30 years of real economy underperformance?

Published: 26 Apr 24

In this essay, Terence Creamer reflects on the factors that have shaped South Africa’s real-economy sectors of manufacturing, mining and agriculture over the past 30 years and considers ways to end the economy’s persistent underperformance

PRASA partially restores five more railway corridors

Published: 26 Apr 24

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says it has restored another five Metrorail corridors across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. These rail services were interrupted by Covid-19, vandalism, crime and poor maintenance practices under previous management teams.

PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE
Given the pressing need for reliable and efficient sewer systems, the selection of materials for pipelines is of paramount importance

Plastic pipes key to modernisation

Published: 26 Apr 24

To address the challenges of water scarcity, sanitation inadequacies and the need for efficient waste management there is ongoing reassessment of the materials and technologies used in infrastructure projects, says industry association Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (Sappma) CEO Jan Venter. Within this reassessment, plastic pipes have become notable for their durability and cost-effectiveness, making them an important element in the construction and modernisation of water, sanitation and sewage systems globally.

NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEM
The self-sustaining, flushing toilet system that recycles 100% of used water targets underserved communities, and is environmentally sustainable and practical for widespread implementation

Sanitation solution developed for underserved communities, schools

Published: 26 Apr 24

The introduction of the Enviro Loo Clear Non-Sewered Sanitation System (NSSS) marks a substantial advance in addressing pressing issues of sanitation and water scarcity, says sanitation service provider Enviro Loo COO Mark La Trobe. The self-sustaining, flushing toilet system that recycles 100% of used water targets underserved communities, and is environmentally sustainable and practical for widespread implementation.

ENHANCED MAINTENANCE
The truck-mounted jetting units enhance the capability to efficiently clear stormwater drains and sewerage systems

Jetting units used proactively in maintenance

Published: 26 Apr 24

Severe flooding events along South Africa’s coastal regions have underscored the crucial role of resilient infrastructure in managing excessive rainfall, says pumps supplier Werner Pumps, which has committed to delivering 50 custom-built vehicles, at five vehicles a month, to a municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, as a proactive measure. The municipality commissioned the truck-mounted jetting units to enhance the capability to efficiently clear stormwater drains and sewerage systems within its jurisdiction.

Volkswagen to invest R4-billion to produce third model at Kariega plant in show of commitment to South Africa

Published: 26 Apr 24

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) will invest R4-billion in its manufacturing plant in Kariega, in the Eastern Cape. The investment will be used to prepare the plant for the addition of a third model to the company’s production line-up from early 2027.

Electrical specialist says load curtailment in Ekurhuleni should be respected, or more outages may ensue

Published: 25 Apr 24

With the City of Ekurhuleni having entered into a load curtailment agreement with national power utility Eskom, this mandatory energy reduction has been met with some protest by businesses, but electrical control equipment provider CBI-electric:low voltage engineering executive Dr Andrew Dickson says the alternative is worse. Eskom took over control of loadshedding in Ekurhuleni in March, after the city reportedly failed to execute power outages when required. The metro had since negotiated a load curtailment agreement with Eskom, which requires that businesses reduce their electricity consumption by 30%.

Tribunal approves Vitol’s buyout of Engen

Published: 25 Apr 24

The Competition Tribunal has approved the proposed acquisition of petrol station brand Engen by independent energy marketing and trading company Vitol Emerald, subject to a set of competition and public interest conditions. The tribunal’s order follows a hearing last month during which it heard submissions from the Competition Commission, the merging parties, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), Sasol South Africa, Astron Energy South Africa, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, and the Chemical, Energy, Paper Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union. Following the hearing, the tribunal requested additional submissions from the commission, the merging parties, Sasol and Astron Energy. MERGING PARTIES Vitol supplies and distributes crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas globally.

Solar rental firm begins testing roll-out model for underserved communities

Published: 25 Apr 24

Local solar-as-a-subscription service provider Wetility is deploying a rooftop solar solution in a lower-income community as part of a proof-of-concept study to firm up the feasibility of extending the offering to other underserved areas. COO Franta Pour tells Engineering News that the company’s current focus is on the provision of bundled solar-battery rental solutions to more affluent households and small and medium-sized businesses, where attention is shifting progressively from security of supply to electricity bill savings.

Image of the MAN Lion’s Explorer E electric bus

‘No operational issues’ as Golden Arrow tests electric Explorer bus

Published: 25 Apr 24

Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) says it will probably make a final decision in the third or fourth quarter of this year on whether it will acquire any Lion’s Explorer E electric buses from MAN Truck & Bus South Africa (MAN SA). MAN SA in September provided GABS with its first Lion’s Explorer E electric bus for test purposes.