South Africa has resumed beef exports to China after an outbreak of the highly contagious foot and mouth disease (FMD) in January halted trade, officials said on Tuesday. The ban on exports of products from cloven hoofed animals to China was officially lifted on July 23, Chinese ambassador Lin Songtian said during a briefing. The viral disease, which causes lesions and lameness in cattle and sheep, was detected in a northern district of Limpopo province, resulting in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) temporarily suspending South Africa‘s FMD-free status. “We went to the…
Read MoreTag: sa manufacturing
MC Mining says Makhado project will make it pre-eminent SA producer of hard coking coal
JOHANNESBURG – MC Mining Limited said on Tuesday the last three months of its 2019 financial year were very successful, including the signature of off-take agreements for its Makhado hard coking coal as well the thermal coal by-product. In an update for the three months ended June 30, CEO David Brown said South Africa produced significant quantities of thermal coal but had very limited quantities of high-quality metallurgical coal. “The off-take with the country’s largest steel producer will result in the majority of Makhado Phase 1’s coking coal being sold domestically, replacing…
Read MoreSupport for farmers affected by drought
Deputy President David Mabuza says government has offered support to farmers who were affected by drought in the Free State, Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape. “As government, we will not allow our agricultural sector to collapse because farmers are the lifeblood of our economy. That is why as part of our response to these challenges, we have set aside a package of financial assistance to affected farmers in various provinces. “I am advised by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development that various provinces were assisted with…
Read MoreSA accelerates the manufacture of trains
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) is accelerating the manufacturing of trains in order to deal with the backlog in the supply of commuter trains, says Transport Deputy Minister Dikeledi Magadzi. “This forms part of the Department’s rail modernisation programme through which we shall ensure that rail becomes the backbone of both passenger and freight transportation in South Africa,” Magadzi said. Addressing the Women in Transport “Empowerpreneurship” Summit in Cape Town on Thursday, she said improving transport is an essential ingredient in improving the lives of people. “This…
Read MoreAfrican cattle investing – the new cash cow?
The MyFarmbook app enables investors to buy shares in a cow from their mobile phone for as little as R576. Tanisha Heiberg, Reuters / 29 July 2019 10:53 Livestock contributes around 51% to South Africa’s agricultural economy and is often seen as a measure of wealth across Africa. Picture: Brendon Thorne, Bloomberg Cattle have long been considered a measure of wealth across Africa – but it is not just farmers cashing in. A pioneering app in South Africa lets investors, eager to benefit from rising global beef demand, buy shares in a cow…
Read MoreSasol’s South African plants threatened by emission standards
Company says equipment needed to cut emissions is too costly and difficult to install. While Sasol has already won a postponement, Eskom is yet to hear whether its applications to have its compliance with the sulfur dioxide emission standards delayed from 2020 until 2025 are successful. Picture: Bloomberg Sasol said some of its South African plants are under threat from sulfur dioxide emission standards that it will need to comply with by 2025. The company, South Africa’s biggest by revenue, operates plants that convert coal into motor fuel and chemicals…
Read MoreThe Cape Chamber’s women in business project goes global
CAPE TOWN -The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday said its newly launched project to help women in business, NextGen, has been accepted by the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Foundation for world-wide application. Former President of the Chamber and member of the IWEC international board, Janine Myburgh, said the purpose of the project is to develop the next generation of women entrepreneurs and elevate them to find global connections to grow their businesses. “The “NextGen” development programme has evolved from the IWEC mentorship scheme in which successful…
Read MoreGrowth of Halaal industry in Africa creates trade and business opportunities
JOHANNESBURG – The explosive growth of the Halaal industry in Africa is creating many trade and business opportunities in the food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, cosmetics and tourism industries, organisers of an upcoming trade show said on Friday. The Global Trade Show (GTS) will run on July 29-31 in Midrand, with the South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA) among a growing number of Halaal organisations supporting it. South Africa is a leading producer of Halaal products worldwide, despite its relatively small Muslim population. “GTS attracts participants from around the world,” said Anina…
Read MoreAECI blames Eskom for under performance
JOHANNESBURG – AECI yesterday became the latest listed company to point to Eskom’s rolling blackouts earlier in the year for the under performance that underpinned some of its major divisions in the six months to end June.Chief executive Mark Dytor said the division’s Senmin’s overall volumes took a knock year-on-year due to a decrease in off-take of bulk liquid xanthate as a consequence of electricity supply constraints. Dytor said he expected the division to bounce back on lesser interruptions and a conducive international mining environment. He said while narrow reef…
Read MoreR135m power-cable plant to open in PE
CAPE TOWN – Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel will on Thursday open a R135million high-voltage power-cable plant in Port Elizabeth. The plant forms part of Aberdare Cables’ expansion strategy and is a direct response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s campaign to attract investment and grow the economy, a statement said yesterday. The investment will increase Aberdare Cables’ manufacturing capability of cables from a current level of 33kV to a new product offering of up to 132kV. The facility is expected to be functional towards the end of July. Fifty-eight jobs…
Read More