Новости за 29.01.2024

The City of Cape Town’s (CoCT’s) specialist metals theft unit, the Copperheads, has recovered more than 53 km of stolen cable during the last six months of 2023. The unit says it executed 404 autonomous operations, 1 260 scrapyard inspections, 1 777 hotspot patrols and responded to 277 complaints from the public during this period.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has expressed “deep concern” regarding a recent surge in vandalism and theft targeting traffic signals within the province. In a statement issued on January 29, the department said it was faced with an “enormous battle” of maintaining and protecting the province’s road traffic signals from the what it said was rampant theft and vandalism.

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Emira has finalised the acquisition and subsequent delisting of fellow Reit Transcend. The properties of Transcend's portfolio of 4 000 tenants will continue to be managed by International Housing Solutions (IHS), while also benefitting from greater alignment with Emira’s systems and a bigger bank of industry knowledge, which includes a wealth of experience across property sectors as well as solar photovoltaic plants, biodiversity and community projects.

Financial services group Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has partnered with the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to extend short-term funding support on a trade-backed facility for Côte d'Ivoire. Through collaboration with MIGA and the Minister of Economy and Finance for Côte d'Ivoire, RMB facilitated a short-term loan to support crucial trade related initiatives.

Loadshedding will jump to Stage 3 at 16:00 Monday after a delay in the return to service of two generating units. "Over the past 24 hours, five generation units were taken offline for repairs. Additionally, the return to service of two generating units that were on planned maintenance was delayed due to an opportunity to perform preventative maintenance. These factors have contributed to the shortage of available capacity necessitating the implementation of Stage 3 loadshedding from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Tuesday," Eskom said. Читать дальше...

Circular economy and water innovation expert Dr Henry Roman has been appointed as the International Water Management Institute’s (IWMI’s) regional representative for Southern Africa and country representative for South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Roman, as the regional representative for Southern Africa, will lead IWMI's initiatives in the region, focusing on innovative water management strategies, sustainable development and enhancing agricultural productivity.

As the European Union’s (EU’s) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) became effective from October 1 last year, South Africa remains highly vulnerable and will likely pay high amounts of carbon tax. The first CBAM report for the fourth quarter of 2023 will be published on January 31.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a new partnership with Africa on Monday, unveiling a long-awaited plan aimed at boosting economic ties, creating an energy hub for Europe and curbing immigration. Speaking at a one-day summit attended by more than two dozen African leaders and European Union officials, Meloni outlined a series of initiatives, pledging an initial 5.5-billion euros ($5.95-billion), including state guarantees. "We believe it is possible to envision and write a new chapter in the history of our relationship... Читать дальше...

South African developers of mature green hydrogen or derivatives projects are potentially eligible for non-refundable grant funding being extended under Germany’s €270-million Power-to-X (PtX) Development Fund, set up to close “bankability gaps” standing in the way of implementing industrial-scale projects in seven eligible developing countries. Funding for the platform, which was established in 2023, is being made available from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the... Читать дальше...

The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has announced that it has approved the request of national electricity utility Eskom to separate the operational timelines for the two reactors of the Koeberg nuclear power plant (NPP). Koeberg, located on South Africa’s west coast, near Cape Town, is the country’s (and still Africa’s) only operating NPP. (The continent’s second NPP, El Dabaa in Egypt, is still under construction.) The two reactors were designated Unit 1 and Unit 2. “After completing its safety assessment... Читать дальше...

State-owned rail and port operator Transnet could, potentially, show significant improvement this year compared with last year’s dismal performance, says transport economist and macrologistics researcher at Stellenbosch University Dr Jan Havenga.  However, it is imperative that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan appoints new leadership at Transnet as soon as possible, he adds.

The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), have agreed on the dangers posed to aircraft by the jamming or distortion (“spoofing”) of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals. When available and un-interfered with, GNSS signals allow for the precise navigation of commercial aircraft. “Airlines are seeing a significant rise in incidents of GNSS interference,” warned ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa will officiate the launch of South Africa's first shipment and preferential trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement on January 31. The successful implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement is expected to lead to diversification of exports, increased productive capacity, acceleration of growth, increased investment, increased employment opportunities and incomes, and most importantly, broadened economic inclusion both in South Africa and the rest of the continent.

Telecommunications group Telkom has made strides against cable theft and vandalism as various initiatives drive down infrastructure-related crime at its facilities. Hundreds of convictions for cable theft and infrastructure vandalism have been secured in a joint effort between Telkom and the South African Police Service (SAPS), helping to turn the tide on infrastructure vandalism across South Africa.

Climate change poses the most significant threat for South African insurance companies and risks raising premiums and the cost of reinsurance, a top official at its biggest insurer by assets said. After staying almost flat in the decade to 2020, the cost for reinsuring against catastrophic events for Old Mutual has climbed as much as 30%, according to Garth Napier, managing director at a unit.