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Image of Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) CEO Dr Juanita Maree

Yes, there are problems at SA ports, but World Bank report not entirely accurate – SAAFF

Published: 18 Jun 24

The newest World Bank Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) report, which places a number of South African ports at the bottom of the list, covers the crisis-ridden 2023 period, and does not take into account the corrective action taken since Transnet has been under new management as part of a recovery and transformation strategy, says Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) CEO Dr Juanita Maree. “To contextualise, this was a period at the height of the crisis.

Paul Mashatile and Cyril Ramaphosa at the first sitting of the seventh democratic Parliament on June 14 where Ramaphosa was re-elected President by the National Assembly

S&P does not foresee any significant policy shift under GNU

Published: 18 Jun 24

S&P Global Ratings does not expect any significant policy shift as a result of South Africa's government of national unity (GNU) formed following the May 29 elections when the African National Council (ANC) failed to secure an overall majority for the first time since 1994. The ANC’s GNU proposal was opened to all parties and a Statement of Intent outlining principles and basic minimum programme of priorities has been signed by the Democratic Alliance, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and the Patriotic Alliance, with others parties also expected to join.

V&A executive manager: operations André Theys

V&A Waterfront signs deal to raise green-electricity contribution to 70% by 2026

Published: 18 Jun 24

Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Etana Energy for 43 GWh of renewable energy yearly, which will result in wind and solar supplying 70% of the iconic mixed-use property’s electricity by early 2026. The PPA follows a similar deal between Etana Energy and Growthpoint Properties for 195 GWh of renewable energy annually, representing 32% of the property group’s total yearly consumption. Growthpoint Properties is the joint owner of the V&A Waterfront with the Public Investment Corporation.

Parliament must play central role in GNU – business

Published: 18 Jun 24

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) noted on Tuesday that in addition to ensuring accountability and being effective in the law-making process, Parliament must be careful not to frustrate reform through unnecessary delays, as South Africa ushers in the Government of National Unity (GNU). The business community congratulated President Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election as President, also welcoming the election of National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and her deputy Annelie Lotriet.

Eskom targets JETP funds and partnerships for 2 GW clean-energy pipeline

Published: 14 Jun 24

Having recently confirmed a decoupling of its just energy transition strategy from the decommissioning of its coal-fired power stations, Eskom is aiming to finalise business cases for a pipeline of renewable energy and battery storage projects, some of which could be deployed in close proximity to its existing coal stations. CEO Dan Marokane reports that that its so-called repowering and repurposing pipeline includes 50 projects with a combined capacity of 2 172 MW and which could create 1 754 permanent jobs.

Unity government parties back rapid economic growth

Published: 14 Jun 24

South Africa’s African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance committed to “rapid, inclusive and sustainable” economic growth in an agreement on forming a so-called government of national unity. The accord, signed in Cape Town on Friday, sets the revival of South Africa’s economy as the first of 11 priorities that the incoming administration will focus on. It touts fixed capital investment, structural reforms and fiscal sustainability as key objectives to getting the economy back on track.

Transnet to boost rail for VW, other automakers

Published: 14 Jun 24

Transnet said it’s in talks to run additional trains between a port in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province and the country’s commercial hub of Gauteng to better link the two automotive manufacturing hubs. The state freight rail and ports company has faced withering criticism from carmakers to coal and iron ore miners as its deteriorating rail service has forced an increasing amount of commodities and cars to be transported by trucks. The head of Volkswagen’s South African unit has said car companies are in talks with Transnet to improve the line and run privately-operated trains on it.

South Africa unity government to include ANC and pro-business DA

Published: 14 Jun 24

The African National Congress and its largest rival, the pro-business Democratic Alliance, have agreed to work together in a government of national unity, senior DA negotiator Helen Zille told Reuters on Friday. The deal between two sharply antagonistic parties marks the start of a new era in South African politics, which has been utterly dominated by the ANC since it swept to power in the 1994 elections that marked the end of apartheid. The ANC lost its majority for the first time in a May 29 vote and has spent two weeks locked in intensive behind-the-scenes talks with other parties, which came down to the wire on Friday morning as the new parliament was convening.

Image of the smart lane MyCiTi system in Cape Town

Cape Town introduces reversible MyCiTi bus lane to reduce congestion

Published: 14 Jun 24

The City of Cape Town’s Transport Network Technology branch is set to activate a reversible MyCiTi bus lane along the R27 between Loxton road and Broad road in Milnerton. This bus lane, for exclusive use by MyCiTi vehicles, will permit inbound travel towards the Civic Centre in the morning, and outbound travel towards Table View in the afternoon.

G7 leaders commit to faster transition from fossil fuels - draft statement

Published: 14 Jun 24

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) developed democracies will commit to accelerating their transition away from fossil fuels during this decade, according to a draft of a statement to be issued at the end of their ongoing summit in Italy. "We will transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly, and equitable manner, accelerating actions in this critical decade, to achieve net-zero by 2050 in keeping with the best available science," says the draft seen by Reuters.