Author: Agency
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen the global competitiveness of the local automotive industry. The CSIR partnership with AIDC, a wholly owned subsidiary company of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, signals a significant milestone in advancing the growth and development of the South African automotive industry. The MoU, the CSIR said, provides a framework for joint programmes and co-development initiatives with an intent to bolster the sector. Acting CSIR Group Executive, Sipho Mbhokota, said he was elated about this move, which…
Motorists are in for more relief this month, as both grades of fuel are expected to decrease for the second month in a row. Illuminating paraffin and LP Gas are also expected to decrease, with an increase in the price of both grades of diesel. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has announced the following price changes: 93 grade petrol is expected to decrease by 24c. The price of 95 grade petrol is expected to decrease by 17c. Diesel 0.05% Sulphur is expected to go up by 18c. Diesel 0.005% Sulphur will cost 12c more. Wholesale illuminating paraffin…
With improved funding for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, the country will be able to invest significantly in bolstering the electricity grid and new renewable energy generation. In his weekly newsletter to the nation on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said this will significantly help to end load shedding. The President’s newsletter comes after his participation at the New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris last week, where several world leaders gathered. “With improved funding for our Just Energy Transition, we will be able to invest substantially in strengthening our electricity grid and new renewable energy generation. “This will make a…
South African government is making strides in the development of a policy for the hemp and cannabis sector, as stakeholders have collectively agreed on regulatory reforms. “These reforms will unlock the potential of cannabis in African traditional medicine; pharmaceutical and complementary medicines; human and animal ingestion, and multiple industrial applications,” the Presidency said on Friday. Given the need for more urgent implementation, under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) – together with the Presidency – government convened a Phakisa Action Lab from 19 to 23 June 2023. The Action Lab brought together more…
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the success of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) depends on the investment in infrastructure in the areas of electricity generation, transportation, as well as freight and logistics distribution. “This is because Africa’s trade integration has been hampered for decades by the ageing infrastructure and too many regulations which require reforms,” Mashatile said. Addressing the All Africa Business Leaders Awards on Friday, the Deputy President said investing in infrastructure is crucial to unlocking the potential for Africa to experience growth at faster rates but more importantly, to ensure inclusive diversification. “In this regard, we…
State power utility Eskom says it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with The Kingdom of Netherlands to collaborate in job creation, economic growth initiatives and improvement of the environment around the Grootvlei Power Station in Mpumalanga. In July last year, the two parties signed a similar LOI. The power utility explained that the new LOI provides an “integrated and sustainable approach” for the power station’s repurpose from a coal fired station to a renewable energy hub which will also create other training and job opportunities for the surrounding community. “This marks a milestone in South Africa’s transition away…
Applications for the 2023 BRICS Future Skills Challenge are now open. The SA BRICS Business Council is looking for the country’s best up-and-coming tech gurus to represent the country in this year’s BRICS Future Skills Challenge. The challenge is described as a multi-day online “skills Olympics” or “Hackathon competition” where youngsters from BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – will be solving real-world problems in their specific future skill areas. Hosted by South Africa, the event will take place in Johannesburg from 12 – 15 September 2023. This year’s programme will focus on energy, water and…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the enthusiasm of the Netherlands and Denmark in working with South Africa to strengthen economic relations, including exploring opportunities in green energy sectors. “Both countries have shown great interest in becoming key trading partners in the green hydrogen and green energy sectors,” President Ramaphosa said on Tuesday at the SA-Denmark-Netherlands Business Forum, which was held in Pretoria during the State visit of the two countries in South Africa. President Ramaphosa had earlier hosted Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, who are on an official joint working visit in…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the African Peace Initiative to Ukraine and Russia was a ‘historic’ effort to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict between the two countries. The President was addressing the country through his weekly newsletter following his return from the European countries. African Heads of State from Senegal, the Comoros, Zambia and South Africa, together with the Prime Minister of Egypt and envoys from the Republic of Congo and Uganda travelled to the two Eastern European countries to hold talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader President Vladimir Putin over the weekend. “This initiative has…
South Africa and France have entered into a cooperation protocol agreement to improve the Special Investigating Unit’s cyber forensic capabilities. The agreement is expected to also yield the establishment of an anti-corruption academy in Tshwane, which will serve the SIU and other law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption agencies within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Commonwealth and Non-Commonwealth countries. It was signed by Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, on Monday. Lamola said the cooperation agreement will add much needed skills to strengthen the SIU’s capacity in…