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An image indicating the original BRICS member States, as well as new members

More Asian nations want to join Putin, Xi in expanded BRICS

Published: 21 Jun 24

As Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Li Qiang wrapped up separate meetings in Southeast Asia this week, the two partners in the BRICS economic bloc encountered a region keen to join a group seen as a hedge against Western-led institutions. During an interview with Chinese media ahead of Li’s visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim declared his intention to apply to the bloc after it doubled in size this year by luring Global South nations — partly by offering access to financing but also by providing a political venue independent of Washington’s influence.

Tshwane's energy procurement plans

Published: 21 Jun 24

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the City of Tshwane's plans to procure 1 000 MW of new electricity generation capacity and how it is likely to proceed with the procurement processes for that capacity.

China's Tsingshan $1bn steel plant in Zimbabwe starts production

Published: 21 Jun 24

China's nickel giant Tsingshan Holding Group has started production at its $1-billion steel plant in central Zimbabwe, a company official said on Thursday. Tsingshan's Dinson Iron and Steel Company will produce 600 000 metric tons of carbon steel annually during the first phase of its operations, project director Wilfred Motsi told reporters during a tour of the plant.

Logistics Crisis Committee’s work to continue, freight sector poised to transform in next two years

Published: 21 Jun 24

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) president Mxolisi Mgojo says he is confident that work within the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) will continue as political parties grapple to form a coalition government post the national elections held at the end of May. “We partner with the government of the day,” says Mgojo.

Construction of new TNPA multipurpose vessel gets under way

Published: 21 Jun 24

A keel-laying ceremony has marked the beginning of construction of a new multipurpose vessel that will increase the marine fleet availability for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in Cape Town. As the first milestone in the history of a ship, the keel-laying ceremony marks the laying of the large beam around which the hull of the ship will be built.

Already green V&A Waterfront eyes starting up desalination plant, building second seawater cooling plant

Published: 21 Jun 24

Since embarking on its sustainability journey in 2008, the V&A Waterfront (V&A) in Cape Town has reduced its energy use by 40%, with 2 MW of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels generating 1 640 000 kWh of clean energy a year. The precinct has also diverted 62% of its waste from landfills. This includes more than 2 300 t of organic waste and 2 100 t of recycling every year.

Streamlined PPP framework could unlock infrastructure investment

Published: 21 Jun 24

In February, the National Treasury asked for public comments to be submitted in respect of the newly drafted amendments to the National Treasury Regulations (NTR) 16, and key elements of municipal public-private partnerships (PPPs) legislation, to bring it in line with recommendations based on a complete review of the PPP framework. The closing date for public comments was April 15, with efforts being made to promulgate the new regulations before the close of the current financial year, the National Treasury tells Engineering News & Mining Weekly.

A photo of the new Cape Town Station which has been re-imagined to house over 3 000 students and has sports grounds, a shopping centre and cinemas

Mixed-use project completed

Published: 21 Jun 24

Privately owned construction company GVK-Siya Zama has worked “around the clock” to complete the redevelopment of Cape Town Station, in the Western Cape, into a mixed-use residential and retail space. This despite experiencing one of Cape Town’s wettest winters in ten years last year, which threatened to derail the process.

A road in Africa taken from a lower angle with a yellow line painted through it and a Cats Eye reflector in the tar

Eastern Cape road projects planned

Published: 21 Jun 24

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) announced in March that it expected to inject close to R2-billion into the Dr AB Xuma local municipality, in the Eastern Cape, when it implements its road maintenance projects over the next three years. The roads agency said it will implement two road infrastructure development projects in the municipality, which include the road improvements of the R61 National Road between All Saints and Bayiza, as well as road improvements of the R61 National Road between Qumanco and eNgcobo.

A man’s arm holding a hard hat wearing other PPE in the foreground of a construction site

Fatalities draw attention to health and safety standards

Published: 21 Jun 24

Recent tragic events, resulting in the loss of over 40 construction workers' lives across three sites last month, have brought heightened attention to both the wellbeing of construction personnel and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight. The fatal construction-related incidents were recorded at a new apartment building in George, in the Western Cape; a residential construction site in Ballito, in KwaZulu-Natal; and a previously constructed retaining wall at a shop in Ngcobo, in the Eastern Cape.