Growthpoint development, acquisition pipeline stands at R3.2bn

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties recorded distribution growth of 7.5% to 84.4c a share in the six months ended December 31. 

Bisha mine processing plant shut down for repairs

The processing plant at TSX-listed Nevsun Resources’ Bisha mine, in Eritrea, would be shut down for about two weeks to resolve a mechanical setback with the ball mill.  The company said in a... 

SA firm pursuing $2bn solar project in Cameroon

Local company GSC Energy, a subsidiary of GSC Holdings, has entered into a 27-year partnership agreement with the Cameroonian government and will undertake a $2.2-billion project to construct ten... 

Applications open for African entrepreneurship prize

African entrepreneurs under the age of 22 have until April 15 to submit applications for the fifth Anzisha Prize, which aims to identify Africa’s most exciting young social and business entrepreneurs. 

GMO crops can drive development, proponents argue

In the field of biotechnology (biotech), South Africa is the leader in Africa, having realised an economic gain of $1.15-billion between 1998 and 2012 from the use of genetically modified (GM)... 

NDP to be under spotlight at metals, engineering indaba

The National Development Plan (NDP) will be the highlight of the first breakaway session of the inaugural Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba, which will be held, in Johannesburg, on May... 

Proposed R5.3bn expressway to increase N3 safety, productivity

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) recenlty outlined the benefits of its proposed R5.3-billion De Beers Expressway, saying this would result in significant relief in... 

Emira highlights strong performance in distribution growth

JSE-listed Emira Property Fund reported distribution growth per participatory interest (PI) of 9% for the six months ended December 31, 2014. 

Cesa also worried about secondment of Cuban engineers

Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) last month said it was dismayed that the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) was seconding 35 Cuban engineers on a two-year contract to share their... 

SA preparing to submit EIAs for new nuclear power stations

South Africa is in a pre-procurement process regarding nuclear energy and is close to submitting environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for areas selected for the deployment of nuclear power. 

$450bn needed to provide African cities with access to electricity

Sub-Saharan Africa is still faced with the challenge of providing citizens access to electricity and an additional $450-billion will need to be invested to ensure that people in urban areas have... 

Prestigious competition seeks to showcase and inspire local entrepreneurs

The 2015 Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) competition was launched earlier this month in Johannesburg, with the main focus on creating and inspiring entrepreneurs to create... 

Health provider uses quality-management tool to boost customer service

Private health insurance administrator Discovery Health has reduced its call centre defects five-fold following the implementation of the Lean Sigma Six (LSS) and Defects per Million Opportunities... 

Govt reveals beneficiaries of electrification spend

President Jacob Zuma revealed in his State of the Nation Address earlier this month that a number of municipalities would continue to benefit from government’s electrification programmes, pointing... 

Auto group wins energy efficiency award

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has won its second consecutive Energy Company of the Year award, presented by the Southern Africa Association for Energy Efficiency, for its efforts in energy... 

Wits in trilateral deal to enhance entrepreneurial growth opportunities

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), entered into a trilateral partnership with Ryerson University, in Canada, and the Bombay Stock Exchange, in India, last week, to increase entrepreneurial... 

Energy conservation key feature of Western Cape student residence

Student accommodation group Stag African has started construction on a R43-million accommodation project for Stellenbosch University’s Tygerberg campus, in the Western Cape.  

Companies’ debt burden has been declining in last five years

The rate at which businesses have been paying off their debts over the last five years has been improving, with local businesses also having improved their balance sheets, despite slow domestic... 

200 MW Côte d'Ivoire temporary power contract extended

Temporary power generation services provider Aggreko has extended the contract for its 200 MW gas-fired power project in Côte d'Ivoire by three years, with the option to extend this by a further... 

Public review period for KiPower water use licence report extended

The public review period for the integrated water use licence application for the proposed construction of a 600 MW coal-fired independent power producer plant and associated infrastructure for... 

Transition from ‘FET’ to ‘TVET’ underlines the growing importance of practical training

The transition from Further Education and Training (FET) colleges to Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges signals a new era for the colleges and skills development in South... 

Stellenbosch engineering students showcase talents with mobile palletising solution

Engineering students from Stellenbosch University SU, in the Western Cape, received top honours during the 2014 PneuDrive Challenge prize-giving ceremony, held in Johannesburg last month, for their... 

Financial benefits from renewable energy beginning to flow – study

The renewable energy from South Africa’s first wind and solar projects last year delivered R800-million more in financial benefits for the country than it cost, according to a study by the Council... 

Ethos buys controlling stake in AutoZone

Private equity investor Ethos has bought a controlling interest in Southern Africa-focused aftermarket automotive parts retailer and wholesaler AutoZone for an undisclosed amount. 

Gauteng names bidders for ‘open tender’ Cedar road upgrade

The Gauteng Provincial Treasury and the Department of Roads and Transport last month revealed the names of the 12 bidders for the Cedar road upgrade tender, which formed part of the province’s open... 

Kathu Solar PV project to deliver 179 GWh/y to the national grid

The Kathu solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, in the Northern Cape, is expected to deliver 179 GWh/y of clean energy to the national grid. 

New technology used to restore damaged pipes

Innovative technology has successfully been used in a rehabilitation project by pipe relining solutions provider Water Damage Services to restore corroded pipes at the Good Hope Centre, in Cape Town. 

Construction starts on N$239m road project

Multidisciplinary construction and engineering group Aveng Grinaker-LTA has started upgrading the B1 national road between Windhoek and Okahandja, in Namibia, to a dual carriageway at a cost of... 

Datatec expects 2015 FY revenue to exceed $6bn

International information and communications technology group Datatec expects to report revenues in excess of $6-billion and underlying earnings a share of more than $0.40 for the financial year... 

Trade conditions improved in December – Sacci

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (Sacci’s) seasonally adjusted Trade Activity Index (TAI) increased marginally to 56 in December, compared with 54 in November. 

Astrapak incurs R2m downtime costs as power cuts bite

The “seriously disruptive” electricity outages in South Africa have cost packaging group Astrapak more than R2-million in “irrecoverable downtime costs”, the company said on Monday, adding that the... 

Public review period for KiPower water use licence report extended

The public review period for the integrated water use licence application for the proposed construction of a 600 MW coal-fired independent power producer plant and associated infrastructure for... 

Company increases African network through indaba

Oil condition monitoring company WearCheck, a member of Setpoint Group, hopes to increase its network on the African continent and reach a new market of mining customers, MD Neil Robinson tells... 

Sishen solar photovoltaic plant connects to national grid

The 216-GWh-producing Sishen solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Northern Cape has officially connected to the national grid and will have the highest level of electricity output of all the... 

Big business offers support to government as electricity crisis deepens

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) last month welcomed Cabinet’s establishment of a technical team war room to undertake various interventions to improve electricity supply security over the... 

Integrated transport planning key to meeting infrastructure objectives

In an effort to accelerate transport planning in South Africa, Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters officially launched the National Transport Forum (NTF) and Transport Sector Broad-Based Black... 

€625m financial backing for Lake Turkana wind project

International investors have arranged a €625m finance package for the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project, for which the construction of a 300 MW wind farm, in north-eastern Kenya is taking place.  

Social housing company launches two developments as it marks milestone

The Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) officially launched Phase 2 of its City Deep Social Housing project, handed over keys to its Fleurhof units to new residents and celebrated its... 

Competition seeks to tap creative juices of engineering students worldwide

Automotive component manufacturer Valeo invites engineering students worldwide to enter its Valeo Innovation Challenge and submit projects using the contest’s website by February 2.  

Govt rolls out streamlined licensing processes

Government rolled out its One Environmental System to streamline licensing processes for mining, environmental authorisations and water use, in December last year, with the aim to improve the ease...