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NYDA committed to address challenges faced by the nation’s youth

The NYDA recognizes that South Africa’s youthful population presents an opportunity to boost economic growth, increase employment and reduce poverty. It also recognizes that young people bear the brunt of unemployment and provide young people with broader opportunities which must be sought. 

It proposes the strengthening of youth service programmes and the introduction of new, community-based initiatives to offer young people life skills training and entrepreneurship training. The NYDA has achieved 100% of its targets for the year 2023/2024 and anticipates achieving another clean audit once audit is completed by September 2024.  

Recent statistics paint a grim picture, however, there remains slight encouraging signs such as the overall increase of jobs and a movement of discouraged work seekers to active work searchers. Only through a social compact of all sectors of society can our ambitious goals be achieved. The NYDA doors remain open to any individual or institution who is committed to giving young people the hand-up they crave. 

NYDA achievements for the year 2023/24 

  • A total of 2 200 youth owned enterprises were supported with financial interventions and target met and exceeded due to the interest that young people have shown in the Programme and the NYDA willing to assist and support these young people.
  • A total of 43 163 young people were supported with non-financial business development interventions and target met and exceeded due to collaborations with local municipalities and provinces that we have MOU’s in place.
  • Jobs that were created and sustained through supporting entrepreneurs and enterprises were 7 319 and target met and exceeded due to the Grant programme that was oversubscribed by young people and the interest shown by them. 
  • A total of 1 203 beneficiaries supported with business Development Support Services offered to young people by NYDA and the overachievement was due to partnership and Service Level Agreement established with FASSET to implement the project with 3 Universities: University of Pretoria, University of Free State and University of KwaZulu-Natal. 
  • A total of 55 549 young people were capacitated with skills to enter the job market, through Life Skills and Job Preparedness and target met and exceeded due to a number of young people who shown interest in life skills and job preparedness offered by NYDA. 
  • A total of 24 307 young people placed in jobs met and exceeded due to partnership established because of intensive focus on partnerships which increased the number of jobs for young people to be placed. 

Revitalized Youth Service

Ten projects were contracted under the NYS program, all in various stages of implementation. By the end of March 2024, a total of 22,306 participants had obtained paid service opportunities. Among them, 18,115 participants had finished community service, while 4,357 young people had successfully transitioned into other income-generating opportunities.

The NYDA conducted a successful recruitment roadshow for the second cohort of the NYS program, targeting underserved communities across several provinces. This initiative enhanced the program’s visibility and engagement. 

The Young Creatives Program (TYCP) is a collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture led to the enrolment of 270 young creatives in the NYS program, providing them with opportunities in Community Arts Centres. This program is set to extend through to March 2025, with R13 608 000 (Thirteen Million Six Hundred and Eight Thousand Rand) allocated by the department to support it. 

The report outlines the number of young people that participated in the Expanded National Youth Service over the year. Quarterly data shows fluctuations, with a notable increase in participation in the second quarter. For the period under review, we reported 16339 young people contributing to the unit meeting and over-achieving this specific target for 2023/24. The NYS unit primarily focused on voter education and activities initiated by partners. Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) enrolled in the incubation program played a crucial role in implementing NYS Expanded Volunteer Projects (EVP), contributing significantly to the target of youth participation in the expanded volunteer program. 

Impact of the program 

  • At an individual level, participants received comprehensive training packages that included technical skills, professional development, emotional intelligence, and patriotism. These trainings aimed to prepare them for future employment and self-sufficiency. 
  • At the community level, the NYS participants contributed to their local economies and communities by engaging in various activities such as waste removal, child safety, and food security programs. The presence of NYS participants helped raise awareness and support community initiatives. 

BRICS Youth 

The NYDA held a successful inaugural meeting of the BRICS Youth Council in December 2023 which approved a strategy document for the term of office of the Council. South Africa officially handed over the Chair of BRICS and the Council to Russia. 

The Executive Chairpersons Office has established a BRICS South Africa Youth Chapter whose views will continue to feed into the BRICS Youth Council. 

NYDA Amendment Bill 

  • The NYDA Board and Management fully participated in the Committee meetings for the NYDA Amendment Bill during the third quarters which has ultimately resulted in recommendations of the Bill to the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. The Bill has been recommended by the NCOP and the Bill has been sent to the President for signing into law. The NCOP Select Committee has met with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and has no fundamental challenges with the bill. 
  • The Board expresses its appreciation to management and all employees for their efforts, oversight and support in achieving satisfactory performance through another clean audit outcome. We look forward to a better year ahead as we place youth at the front and centre of the economic recovery.

Visit NYDA online: https://www.nyda.gov.za/

Why the growth of the township economy is crucial for South Africa’s future

The growth of the township economy is vital for South Africa’s sustainable development and overall economic health. Townships, which are home to a significant portion of the country’s population, represent a largely untapped reservoir of economic potential. By focusing on the development of these areas, South Africa can achieve inclusive growth, reduce inequality, and create a more resilient economy.

1. Promoting inclusive economic growth

Townships house millions of South Africans who are often excluded from the formal economy. By investing in township economies, the country can promote inclusive economic growth that benefits all citizens. This approach ensures that economic opportunities are not confined to urban centers but are spread across all regions, fostering a more balanced and equitable economic landscape.

2. Job creation and poverty reduction

One of the most significant benefits of growing the township economy is job creation. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in townships are crucial for generating employment. Supporting these businesses can lead to significant job growth, helping to reduce the high unemployment rates prevalent in these areas. Employment opportunities in townships will also contribute to poverty alleviation and improve the living standards of residents.

3. Fostering entrepreneurship and innovation

Townships are vibrant communities with immense entrepreneurial spirit. By providing the necessary support, such as access to finance, business training, and infrastructure, the government and private sector can unlock this entrepreneurial potential. Fostering entrepreneurship in townships encourages innovation, drives economic diversification, and creates new market opportunities, which are essential for a dynamic and robust economy.

4. Enhancing social stability and cohesion

Economic disparity and lack of opportunities can lead to social unrest and instability. Growing the township economy can help address these issues by providing residents with economic opportunities and hope for a better future. Economic empowerment in townships fosters social cohesion, reduces crime rates, and builds more resilient and stable communities.

5. Leveraging local resources and markets

Townships offer unique local resources and markets that, when effectively harnessed, can contribute significantly to the national economy. Local businesses can cater to the specific needs of their communities, creating a thriving internal market. Moreover, by developing local supply chains and encouraging local production, townships can reduce dependency on imports and enhance self-sufficiency.

The growth of the township economy is not just a moral imperative but a strategic economic necessity for South Africa. The upcoming Township Economies Conference & Expo aims to delve into unlocking the economic potential of township businesses by providing them with access to industry experts to help them grow their businesses.

By investing in township development, the country can achieve inclusive growth, reduce poverty and inequality, foster entrepreneurship, enhance social stability, and leverage local markets and resources.

This comprehensive approach will contribute to a more resilient, dynamic, and prosperous South African economy.

Find out more: https://townshipeconomies.co.za/

Joint energy conference set to attract investors

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) are jointly hosting an Energy Conference designed to attract investors interested in green energy opportunities.

What are the reasons for investing in Middelburg, Mpumalanga? Are there sustainable investment opportunities in the region? What can companies invest in?

Discover green energy investment opportunities at MCCI and STLM’s Energy Conference: https://energyiseconomy.co.za/

Governments, NGOs and researchers sometimes disregard the Highveld economy. Insufficient information prevents accurate scrutiny of national and international activities whereas with the correct information, it soon becomes clear that there are rich potential investment opportunities. The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality in Middelburg is home to three Eskom power stations and over 150 mines within a 100 km radius.

One of many local manufacturers is a top South African exporter and also supplies local manufacturers, such the motor industry. Between 1996 and 2020, companies in STLM contributed R48-billion to GDP, an increase of 2%. In 2022, the coal industry employed 90 977 people and generated a turnover of R252.3-billion with a production of 231.2-million tons.

The Just Energy Transition

If you talk about electricity or coal mining in this region, people immediately dismiss it as a national responsibility, and it is assumed that people in the region should not have an opinion. The impact of the Just Energy Transition (JET) on the Highveld region in Mpumalanga is being ignored and is ineffective.

JET projects continue. An example is the repurposing of the Komati power station. Government and big business have recognised that the repurposing of Komati has been a failure but JET organisations are failing to learn lessons from the Komati project. JET supports consultants and non-profit organisations in Mbombela, Gauteng and Cape Town through grants for research projects. These organisations have no interest in the Mpumalanga Highveld and their projects have limited effect.

MCCI President Moeketsi Mpotu said at the AGM of the organisation in March 2024 that local businesses need to be the voice of reason. The current JET strategy will have a negative impact on STLM and Emalahleni businesses, including all businesses that supply, transport, export and provide services from the Gauteng region.

What does STLM offer investors?

Agriculture, manufacturing, mining and power generation are our strongest sectors. Creditors are better paid by Middelburg’s businesses, with a rate of over 60%. Our per-capita reserve of technical skills is one of the highest in Africa. Skilled artisans and engineers are in abundance in our community.

In addition, STLM has:
  • A designated economic zone in Mpumalanga
  • Available land for manufacturers (working on opportunities to serve new investors)
  • One of the top four performing municipalities in the country
  • Consistent economic growth for decades

Infrastructure

One hour’s drive from the industrial areas of Gauteng. Airfield is able to (and does) host jet aircraft. Middelburg is at the junction of the N4, N12, N11, R104 and R555, bypassing any blockage on the N3 to Durban harbour or to the Zimbabwe border.

The MCCI has a rich history since 1903 of engaging businesses worldwide and has insights into local business intelligence.

Energy & Investment Conference

We invite you to our conference on 25 July 2024 in the STLM Banquet Hall.

Find out more & book your place: https://energyiseconomy.co.za/
Contact MCCI Tel: 013 243 2253 | MCCI website: https://middelburginfo.com/

Women in mining seizing opportunities

Each year women-owned conference company, Pinpoint Stewards, together with their media partners, go on a quest to profile women in SA mining, ensuring equal reporting of women leading in mining and how these change-makers are impacting the mining sector.

The women featured below will be speaking at the annual Women & Leadership in Mining Conference taking place on 28 & 29 August at the NH Collection, Sandton. “We will again be hosting the event in women’s month to ensure August ends on a high. Each year mining companies send their women-capital to attend the 2-day conference to Develop, Unite and Empower them, it’s DUE!” says organiser Ankia Roux.

Now more than ever, laws, proposed white papers and internal policies are making it easier for women to not only picture a career in mining but to excell, and they are seizing the opportunities. This positive movement is echoed in the theme for this year’s conference: Safeguarding and encouraging the future progress of women to reach for higher ground. 

Some of these women have been in the mining sector long before supporting policies and laws. They include: Nomvula Ngcobo, Engineering Manager – Asset & Maintenance Management, Central – Randfontein, Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd, who is the group engineering manager at Harmony Gold with over 17 years experience in mining and will be speaking on why women should be retained and developed in mining.

With experience spanning over two decades is Kristell Holtzhausen, previous Company Secretary, African Rainbow Minerals Ltd, Ferrous Division (Assmang). She will share her experience in overcoming burn-out through applying mental awareness and wellbeing at the workplace.

Women accessing the mining sector through modernization towards safety and sustainability will be the focus of Bontle Mtshengu, Founder & Co-Owner, Quantum Leap Smart Engineering, who started her own business as she stepped away from corporate for a moment to balance life with a career spanning over 23 years in mining.

Mpho Nyarela, WIM Chairperson Limpopo RTF Exco Member, Palabora Mining Company will look at the topic of re-writing HR policies to align with targets and include the influx of women at a faster tempo. She has a Mining Degree and Masters in Business Administration, Governance and Finance and is the Women In Mining Chairperson, Limpopo RTF EXCO.

Panel discussion

The composition of women in mining forums and committees will include 3 women-in-mining-chairs: Hendrietta Sarile, Environmental Coordinator: Systems and Compliance Exploration at Ivanplats, Cynthia Muvhango, Mine Engineer at Foskor Pty Ltd and Mpho Nyarela, mentioned above.

Other speakers include: Dr Adwoa Boaduo Issaka, Unit Manager Safety at Goldfields, Nozipho Dlamini, Mine Manager at Thungela Resources, Ofentse Debete, Section Manager Mining at Goldfields and Nandi Sibanyoni, Executive Head, SHE, at Anglo American-Kumba Iron Ore.

Giving back

Pinpoint Stewards will be donating a percentage of the proceeds to beneficiaries WiMSA and Lighthouse Baby Shelter. They annually also support 20 post-graduate students to attend the two day conference for free, to meet a mentor, job shadowing opportunity or a career in mining.

To enquire or form part of the conference email info@pinpointstewards.co.za or register online before 1 July for a quote www.pinpointstewards.co.za

Follow Pinpoint Stewards on LinkedIn.

Leading experts from the energy and business sectors strategise solutions to solve the energy crisis

Image by Johannes Plenio via unsplash

Pretoria, June 2024: 2023 was a challenging year for South Africans, marked by a record-breaking 332 days of load shedding, highlighting a severe escalation in the country’s power supply crisis—an alarming 61% increase from 2022.¹

The figures reflect deep-rooted issues within Eskom, the state-owned power utility and highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions to the country’s ongoing energy crisis. The inaugural Tshwane Energy Summit 2024, from 19 – 20 June, is poised to address these critical challenges head-on as key stakeholders from the energy sector meet to problem-solve solutions. 

“It’s essential we continue to plan for an energy-secure future, building capacity independent of Eskom. I look forward to hearing from industry leaders on how we can achieve that goal at the Tshwane Energy Summit. We cannot simply hope that the lights will stay on after elections,” commented Councillor Cilliers Brink, Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane ahead of the Tshwane Energy Summit 2024 that takes place from 19 – 20 June.

“A reliable supply of energy is an essential precondition for sustained economic growth and development, and the country’s energy crisis and load shedding we currently experience puts a cap of 2% on national GDP growth.”

The inaugural Tshwane Energy Summit promises to bring together some of the top minds in the South African energy and business sectors, energy industry leaders and policymakers, among other participants – with a shared mission to make Tshwane’s commitment to becoming a net-zero carbon and climate-resilient city by 2050 – a reality.

The stage is set for an impressive line-up of speakers, all prominent industry players who will interactively drive the dialogue around best practice and solicit feedback from stakeholders. 

Setting the scene, Vuyo Zitumane, Chief Operations Officer from the City of Tshwane, will discuss the state of energy and the energy action plan including energy generation, the recommissioning of Rooiwal and Pretoria West Power Stations as well as the ambitious goal to secure 1,000MW of energy independent of Eskom by 2026.

Sello Mphaga, Divisional Head: City Sustainability Unit (CSU) and chair of Tshwane Energy Task Team joins Brian Day, chairperson of the South African Independent Power Producers Association (SAIPPA), and others (Patrick Ngoepe, Deputy Director of General Urban Planning; Nhlanhla Ngidi, Head of Electricity and Energy at South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and Silus Zimu, special advisor to the Ministry of Electricity) to provide insights into South Africa’s municipal energy framework, embedded generation trends, off-grid opportunities as well as the impact of revenue on local government and building a win-win model. 

Ngidi, in his SALGA position, currently plays a pivotal role in the industry advocating for policy reforms enabling the municipalities to embrace the current energy transition and to achieve smart and sustainable energy business models.

Mohan Vivekanandan, Group Executive: Client Coverage for the Development Bank of Southern Africa will join Andre Pienaar, founder and chairperson of C5 Capital and Tshepo Mahloele, founding CEO of Harith General Partners to lead discussions about the role of Developmental Financial Institutions in Municipal Infrastructure Development. 

Despite policy developments on electrification, South Africa still faces significant challenges around energy poverty. Included in the lineup is Sello Mphaga, Divisional Head of City Sustainability and Chair of the Energy Task Team at the City of Tshwane, who’ll lead a session to deliberate on initiatives falling under Tshwane’s Energy Response Plan and Climate Change Plan to accelerate urban development, with a focus on building sustainable cities and reducing and assessing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Where there are good conversations, there is potential for progress; and this is crucial in developing an action plan for the implementation of agreed sustainable energy solutions for the City of Tshwane and beyond,” comments Paseka Rakosa, Senior Manager: Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA).

The Dutch energy sector creates smart solutions for a sustainable future, working alongside a mix of businesses and world-class knowledge institutes and is recognised as one of the top countries for research and development. Theo Cilliers, chief executive of Renewable Energy Storage and Hydrogen (RESH2) Solutions, a highly innovative Dutch renewable energy company specialising in designing, modelling, evaluating, developing, and implementing renewable energy solutions across the globe, will share how the Netherlands have successfully developed solutions to move off grid and utilise refurbished power stations in a bid to alleviate power challenges. 

RESH2 focuses on collaborative renewable energy projects between the Netherlands and several other countries. Cilliers will share key learnings from their latest impact project – Koegas Green Hydrogen in the Northern Cape – to explain how their innovative and highly disruptive quantitative evaluation engine supplies their clients with the forecasted amount of energy on demand.

The summit will also create a platform for dialogue and discussion, fostering collaboration to optimise the grid and ensure reliable energy supply. Plenaries will investigate current partnerships that national, provincial and local governments have in place, and discusses the countries that have climate initiatives to guide South Africa to net zero by 2050; as well as insights into international and local trends in the energy sector, and what could work for the City of Tshwane to accelerate the technology innovation within the energy sector. 

“We encourage key sectors of the economy to join and learn more about the various technologies and alternative energy supply solutions available to drive economic growth and sustainability of their businesses,” adds Rakosa.

The summit will culminate with delegates attending breakaway sessions, discussing enabling renewable energy procurement from IPPs for all municipalities and encouraging the private sector to work with the City’s procurement processes with the move to alternative energy sources. 

For more information about the summit, please visit TEDA’s website: https://teda.org.za/tes2024/

¹ https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/the-year-we-were-plunged-into-darkness-a-record-332-days-of-load-shedding-in-2023-and-counting-63eafd30-87c8-4f13-acd0-60071e509239

Elections are done, now let’s get down to business!

By Ryan Ravens, CEO, Accelerate Cape Town

As the dust settles on our national elections, a number of things have become abundantly clear with respect to the South African electorate. The first and most obvious is that our democracy has matured admirably – we no longer vote en masse for the romantic notions of the past and the ruling elite will be held accountable if they fail to deliver.

The ANC have learnt this in no uncertain terms this week and it bodes well for the future, but only if they now choose partners to take the country forward rather than aligning with destructive forces intent on destroying our Constitution for personal gain. South Africans no longer trust any single party to govern alone, which potentially opens the door to a far more accountable government of national unity (GNU). This coalition needs to be aligned to the best interests of the country (rather than personal interests) and needs to set aside any political and ideological differences to work together productively.

South Africa desperately needs a coalition that upholds the rule of law without fear or favour, that has zero tolerance for any form of corruption, and that supports investment and business-friendly policies.

Which segues nicely into another revelation this past week – the short-term memories and unfortunate ignorance amongst voters with respect to the level of destruction caused by corrupt politicians. We have spent the past few years bemoaning the ‘lost 9 years’ under Jacob Zuma – a period during which our SOE’s were looted to the point of collapse, misinformation and fake narratives around ‘white monopoly capital’ were perpetuated, and investors fled under threats of expropriation without compensation. Any reasonable person of sound intelligence would be astounded to know that nearly 15% of voters – more than 2.3 million people – still believe that Jacob Zuma could take our country forward.

South Africa now stands at a critical inflection point – one path lined with parties promoting populist policies that will inevitably deepen our economic crisis, and an alternative that includes parties willing to protect and promote our Constitution and advocate for market friendly policies.

Organised business at a national level – through organisations such as BUSA and BLSA – have made it clear that the working relationship with government, and subsequent gains achieved during the past few years, will come to an abrupt end if the populist route is followed. South Africa urgently requires both local and foreign direct investment in order to foster economic growth. A populist anti-business government threatening to destroy our Constitution and expropriate land is not going to attract any form of investment any time soon and will drag us back decades.

Organised business at a national level – through organisations such as BUSA and BLSA – have made it clear that the working relationship with government, and subsequent gains achieved during the past few years, will come to an abrupt end if the populist route is followed.

In the Western Cape, organised business has been represented by Accelerate Cape Town (ACT) since 2006. All the companies represented by this organisation have a national (or international) footprint and are very much aligned to the national growth agenda. However, the reality is that most of these businesses are cautious when pursuing meaningful initiatives in this region – because historical experience has shown that national government will seek to punish companies who are perceived to be favouring the region run by the opposition.

Ryan Ravens, CEO Accelerate Cape Town

This has defined to a large extent how organised business operates in the Western Cape. We don’t make a song and dance of every initiative, there are no pledges to be signed to generate PR, there are no committees or countless workstreams, and we don’t try and dictate who the political partners should be – instead, we’ve been quietly getting on with it. Quietly working together to create jobs and opportunity, quietly working together to improve the lives of the people who live here. Loudly criticising when we feel policies or behaviours are not conducive to creating a thriving business environment.

This is how it’s been in the Western Cape for nearly two decades. Organised business in this region is strictly apolitical but works very closely with the Western Cape government and have developed robust, deeply honest relationships.

We have co-created economic development policies such as the Growth for Jobs strategy, we share learnings and insights around job creation initiatives, we interrogate local and regional government’s infrastructure investment plans, and our feedback is valued and appreciated. Our official engagements in the province are devoid of the pomp and ceremony so common amongst the former ruling elite. The Premier and members of the provincial cabinet have never cancelled or even been late for a single engagement. Not once.

This spirit of meaningful collaboration – even if we don’t always agree with each other on every issue – has undeniably been working in this region. The Western Cape now has the lowest unemployment rate in the country – 21.4% compared to the national unemployment rate of 32.9%; over the past five years, 4 out of every 5 new jobs in SA were created in the Western Cape; we are less prone to load-shedding through initiatives like the Alternative Energy Support Programme; and even our property prices have enjoyed continuous growth as more South Africans seek to relocate.

Whilst we are greatly encouraged by the renewed mandate for the DA in the Western Cape and look forward to continuing the great work we’ve been doing, the hope now is that this same spirit of humility, collaboration, and commitment to the economic growth agenda will be what defines our new national government. The alternative is simply too terrifying to contemplate.

About Accelerate Cape Town

Accelerate Cape Town (ACT) is a business leadership organisation representing top-tier corporate business in the Cape Town city region.  Established in 2006, ACT provides a forum for corporate business to connect and catalyse action to position Cape Town for growing economic success.

Website – https://acceleratecapetown.co.za/

Rail is the sustainable solution

Employees at Alstom Ubunye, South Africa

Rail transportation is one of the most energy-efficient transport modes and will remain the backbone of mobility in a sustainable world. The average passenger cars in South Africa emit 148gCO2e/km, which is 18.9 times more than riding a train.

The X’trapolis Mega Train being produced at Gibela for Passenger Rail Agency South Africa (PRASA) is made from 30% lighter steel than trains made of carbon steel. The stainless steel translates to less energy consumption which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, 99% of the train components are recoverable and 96% of them are recyclable, thus decreasing the likelihood of end-of-life impact.

Alstom, a global leader in sustainable and green mobility solutions, has released a report in collaboration with Ernst & Young (EY) capturing the company’s socio-economic contributions from April 2021 to March 2022. It highlights the support of over 9 000 jobs and R3.9-billion injected into South Africa as Alstom continues to grow its local presence.

“We have been in South Africa for at least 10 years now and our commitment to South Africa goes beyond the manufacturing of trains or railway components. We are a reliable local growth partner and are actively participating in the development of an inclusive and sustainable rail industry through localisation, job creation and skills development. This report creates a baseline understanding of the impact of our work to date and acts as a tool to measure our progress moving forward,” said Bernard Peille, Managing Director, Alstom Southern Africa.

Alstom’s strategy in South Africa is illustrated by significant investments in the country, which include Alstom Ubunye, Gibela Rail Consortium and most recently with Bombela Maintenance and Alstom Rolling Stock South Africa.

“Alstom’s commitment to eco-design is centred on minimising the environmental footprint of its solutions throughout the lifecycle. This approach is already applied to more than 50% of Alstom products globally with a target of having 100% of all new products by 2025,” says Peille.

Supporting local industry

“When we started our journey 10 years ago, the rail industry in South Africa was dormant and a significant effort was put into building Gibela’s supply chain which now consists of over 90 South African suppliers and 65% of the train’s content is supplied locally. Gibela also has over 1 000 talented employees and has delivered more than 100 locally made trains to PRASA,” said Andrew DeLeone, President of Alstom in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. Alstom’s actions also extend to freight; it is contracted to supply electric Traxx locomotives to Transnet, locomotives which will contribute to reducing heavy vehicle traffic on South Africa’s roads.

“In 2022, we expanded our manufacturing capabilities and can now produce locomotive car body shells in South Africa. Growing these unique locomotive skills locally is in line with our long-term growth strategy to introduce much-needed state-of-the-art freight solutions to the rest of the Southern Africa market. Reduced heavy vehicle/truck traffic on our roads also leads to less carbon emissions and improved safety,” added Peille.

Enhancing the local economy

According to the report, Alstom South Africa purchased R3.6-billion of goods and services over the reporting period, 79% of which are from South African suppliers. The company’s dedication to local economic development has resulted in increased partnerships and support for local business enterprises. Alstom collaborates with over 500 suppliers in South Africa, who provide components for Alstom trains and services to projects across the country. Fully 99% of Alstom’s new employees have been local hires in South Africa, of which 90% are black Africans and 45% fall into the youth category.

The company is committed to gender diversity and inclusion. Women compete equally for all roles and as a result 35% of the workforce is now female and this number will grow in the coming years through deliberate efforts. Alstom is committed to developing greener, smarter and safer mobility for its customers but more importantly, to build local capability.

World-class skills training

In terms of skills and rail expertise development, Alstom invested in multiple skills transfer programmes and sent South African employees to various Alstom sites around the world including France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia and India, among others. Alstom’s South African employees regularly undergo technical and behavioural skills training to ensure they operate at the same level as any Alstom employee at any site globally.

In addition, Alstom also supports educational initiatives in South Africa focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in high school and up to university level. Through its joint ventures, partnerships with universities are in place to advance railway-specific skills development, expand scientific and research capacity and attract and retain excellent researchers, students and scientists.

Alstom’s outlook for South Africa

By 2025, Alstom will grow its employee base by 10%, increase female representation up to 40% in the management, engineers and professionals category; optimise manufacturing to produce 62 X’trapolis Mega Trains per annum and intensify operational capacity to produce up to 50 locomotives per annum.

On track 

Alstom has supported over 9 000 jobs in South Africa, according to EY

  • R3.9-billion GDP contribution to South Africa’s economy
  • 99% local hires, 35% women
  • 65% X’trapolis train content supplied locally
  • 91% less gCO2/passenger.km by train compared to cars

About Alstom

Leading societies to a low-carbon future, Alstom develops and markets mobility solutions that provide sustainable foundations for the future of transportation. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails and trams to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, Alstom offers its diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry.

Over 150 000 vehicles in commercial service worldwide attest to the company’s proven expertise in project management, innovation, design and technology. In 2021, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, World and Europe, for the 11th consecutive time. Headquartered in France and present in 70 countries, Alstom employs more than 74 000 people. The Group posted revenues of €15.5-billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2022.

Website: www.alstom.com

KwaZulu-Natal Supply Chain Conference 2024

This year, we are excited to present a thought-provoking event focused on the theme of Strengthening Infrastructure and Manufacturing Supply Chains for Future Growth.

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the significance of robust supply chains cannot be overstated. As we navigate through various challenges and opportunities brought on by recent events within KZN, it is imperative to enhance our infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities to ensure sustainable growth and resilience.

Join us as we gather industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to explore innovative strategies, best practices, and emerging technologies that will shape the future of supply chain management in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. Together, we will delve into insightful discussions, share experiences, and forge collaborations to drive positive change and propel our supply chains towards greater efficiency, agility, and competitiveness.

Find out more

Township Economies Conference & Expo 2024

The Takealot Township Economies Conference & Expo is a one-stop destination for Township entrepreneurs! The event will explore support services to the informal market sector, focusing on the challenges these entrepreneurs face.

Through our event, we hope to shed light on these critical issues and help inform strategies for improving and expanding support services for those working in the informal market sector. By understanding the challenges of entrepreneurs and providing them with the tools they need to overcome these obstacles, we can enable them to flourish and grow their businesses, thereby strengthening our economy as a whole.

Find out more: https://townshipeconomies.co.za/

DEVAC Hydrogen-H Indaba 2024

DEVAC Hydrogen-H Indaba, taking place at NH Sandton (F.K.A Hilton Sandton) in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 18-19 September 2024, is the leading platform for hydrogen project developments and investment opportunities where industry experts from government institutions, key private sector companies and international investors are brought together to engage on solutions to unlock Africa’s outstanding green hydrogen potential.

This exclusive event constantly promotes great collaboration between governments, the private sector, and key stakeholders from the African hydrogen value chain to ensure the continent can lead in the development of green hydrogen for energy transition.

Find out more

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