Renewable and self-sustaining mini- and off-grid solutions serve as alternatives to traditional grid connections to achieve energy-access goals for remote communities.
These revolutionary solutions will be discussed and showcased at the upcoming 13th annual Africa Energy Indaba virtual event from the 1st – 5th March 2021 which will provide the latest insights, trends and applications to ultimately increase energy access across the continent.
Several exciting dialogues will be exploring what is needed to meet the rapidly growing need for energy access in Africa, learn more about the African market and prospective business opportunities in the energy space; regional integration; the importance of decentralised energy solutions, the disruptive business models, the need for innovative financing solutions, and the digitization of the energy sector.
Access to energy and the rate at which Africa is realising this, will be amongst the dominant themes of the event. This leading energy gathering comprises a high-level, strategic summit will be focusing on energy access, finance, renewables as well as transmission & distribution thereof.
The landscape and population distribution of the African continent underscores why major power plants are unable to reach and serve all areas. As many of these regions are located so far from other urban centres, extending a country’s main electrical grid remains unaffordable. This leads us to the interim solution of investigating energy access and planning in an integrated manner, which includes incorporating smaller “mini-grids” that operate independently from the main grid and off-grid systems in isolated regions of the continent.
Implementation of these solutions could also prove viable in regions where it remains unfeasible to spread the national grid, owing to issues such as topography or low population density. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has forecasted (in Africa Energy Outlook 2014) that 70 percent of new rural electricity supply in Africa will be provided by independent systems and mini-grids by 2040. The GMG MDP, SE4All, SEFA and ESMAP are playing their parts in reducing costs, as well as contributing to technological innovations and improvements in GMG expansion. All this is set to verify that up to two thirds of this power supply will be powered by renewable sources.
A high-level strategic gathering that brings together leading industry players, including local and international mining companies, users and investors, the PGMs Industry Day will tackle all the critical industry issues in a frank and open discussion.
Against the backdrop of soaring PGMs prices, key stakeholders will discuss the huge potential of this sector. Chaired by Bernard Swanepoel, some of the crucial issues to be addressed include:
The outlook for platinum group metals globally
The supply and demand fundamentals affecting the market
Producers’ strategies for future production, supply, investment, modernization and energy
Potential growth opportunities and new projects
The role of PGMs producers in Zimbabwe in the global market
Investors’ perspectives on the PGMs industry
Future markets and applications
The specific role of PGMs in the hydrogen economy
And more…
Speaker highlights will include CEOs of PGMs mining companies and other industry leaders such as:
Nico Muller, CEO, Impala Platinum
Natascha Viljoen, CEO, Anglo American Platinum
Neal Froneman, CEO, Sibanye-Stillwater
Marna Cloete, President & CFO, Ivanhoe Mines
Stephen Forrest, Executive Chairman and Principal Consultant, SFA Oxford
Huw Daniel, CEO, Platinum Guild International Hong Kong Limited
Kevin Eggers, Partner, AP Ventures
Wilma Swarts, Director of PGMs, Metals Focus
And many more…
The full programme and list of speakers will be announced shortly. Keep checking on the website for further announcements: www.pgmsindaba.com
The Port of Durban handles containers, automotive imports and exports, break-bulk and agricultural commodities (Credit: TNPA)
Almost a third of South Africa’s manufactured exports are produced in KwaZulu-Natal. A number of domestic and international manufacturers are either buying into the province or building new facilities in order to export finished goods.
The Mara Group’s R1-billion investment in a smartphone factory at the Dube TradePort is the latest in a string of inward investments that KwaZulu-Natal has received. This includes expenditure of more than R1.2-billion by Arçelik, the Turkish owner of Defy, at the company’s three South African plants (two of which are in the province) and R4.5-billion by Nyanza Light Metal in a titanium dioxide pigment plant at Richards Bay.
The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) at Richards Bay and King Shaka International Airport (the Dube TradePort) are key components of the strategy of attracting investors to the province. Dube TradePort attracted R7-billion between 2012 and 2019 and the same amount is expected to accompany the development of Phase 1A and Phase 1F of the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ).
Two investors in 2019 were edible oils manufacturer Wilmar Processing SA, which is investing more than R1-billion in a plant, and Elegant Afro Line, which will spend about R900-million on its chemicals plant.
There are plans to establish a clothing and textiles SEZ in the province to build on the province’s established strength in the sector and an automotive supplier park will be in operation by 2021. Toyota and Bell Equipment play a big role in the automotive sector while the Engen Oil Refinery is a strategic asset.
A solid base for future growth
The province’s existing infrastructure, good soils and fine weather provide a solid base for future growth. KwaZulu-Natal already has significant capacity in heavy and light manufacturing, agri-processing and mineral beneficiation, all of which is supported by South Africa’s two busiest ports (Richards Bay and Durban), the country’s busiest highway (the N3), a modern international airport and pipelines that carry liquids of all types to and from the economic powerhouse of the country around Johannesburg in the interior.
Sappi’s dissolving pulp mill at Umkomaas south of Durban (below) is one of the province’s most significant industrial sites as it produces huge quantities of a material that is used in viscose staple fibre, which in turn is used in clothing and textiles. Together with production volumes from Sappi’s mill in neighbouring Mpumalanga province, the company is the world’s largest manufacturer of dissolving pulp. Sugar, tourism and forestry and paper are other important sectors driving growth and employment in KwaZulu-Natal.
In his 2020 State of the Province address, Premier Sihle Zikalala listed the sectors which are to be targeted for investment in the future. These are:
Aloe processing
Bio-ethanol
Renewable energy
Fish processing
Innovation hubs
Oceans Economy
KwaZulu-Natal has a long coastline that stretches from Port Edward in the south to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in the north. The province’s contact with the sea has brought obvious benefits: fishing, fine beaches enjoyed by millions of tourists and two great ports.
These ports export vast quantities of minerals (mostly through Richards Bay) and manufactured goods (Durban) and serve as an important conduit for imports of all sorts. The Richards Bay Coal Terminal exports massive quantities of coal while the Port of Durban is the busiest port in Africa.
Credit: TNPA
Oceans Economy
However, planners want to massively increase the economic benefits that the ocean can bring. An Oceans Economy Review Workshop has come up with a range of sub-sectors that can help grow the provincial economy and invite foreign direct investment:
Marine transport and manufacturing
Offshore oil and gas exploration
Aquaculture
Marine protection and ocean governance
Small harbours
Coastal and marine tourism
Strategies to grow the Oceans Economy dovetail with ongoing projects to boost the capacity of the province’s ports and to explore for gas and oil in the Indian Ocean. If oil rigs were to start visiting the KZN coastline on a regular basis, the ship-repair industry would grow exponentially.
The Oceans Economy is one of the focus areas that has been chosen by national government to be part of Operation Phakisa, a focused, goal-driven attempt to jump-start a specific economic sector. Overall, Phakisa intends creating a million jobs by 2033 and injecting R177-billion into national GDP.
The decision to build a cruise-ship terminal at the Port of Durban is a good example of the kind of decision that is in line with an “Oceans Economy” approach.
Photo credit: Viking Ocean Cruises, Photo by Philip Wilson
Geography
The mixed topography of the province allows for varied agriculture, animal husbandry and horticulture. The lowland area along the Indian Ocean coastline is made up of subtropical thickets and Afromontane forest. High humidity is experienced, especially in the far north, and this is a summer rainfall area. The centrally-located Midlands is on a grassland plateau among rolling hills. Temperatures generally get colder in the far west and northern reaches of the province.
The mountainous area in the west – the Drakensberg – comprises solid walls of basalt and is the source of the region’s many strongly running rivers. Regular and heavy winter snowfalls support tourist enterprises. The Lubombo mountains in the north are granite formations that run in parallel.
Regions
KwaZulu-Natal has 10 district municipalities and a metropolitan municipality, the most of any province in South Africa. In economic terms, the province offers diverse opportunities.
Southern region
This area is the province’s most populous. The city of Durban has experienced booms in sectors such as automotive, ICT, film and call centres. The promenade now reaches all the way to the harbour and the Point development will benefit. Major investments are taking place at the Port of Durban with the current centrepiece being the Durban Cruise Terminal. The Container Terminal is also undergoing an extensive overhaul.
Durban’s conference facilities are well utilised, but many opportunities still exist in chemicals and industrial chemicals, food and beverages, infrastructure development and tourism. Further south, plans are in place to upgrade Margate’s airport and Port Shepstone’s beachfront.
Western region
Also known as the Midlands, this is a fertile agricultural region which hosts the popular annual Royal Show. It produces sugar cane, fruit, animal products, forestry and dairy products. Pietermaritzburg is the provincial capital and home to a major aluminium producer along with several manufacturing concerns, including textiles, furniture, leather goods and food. The city has good transport links along the N3 national highway, excellent schools and a lively arts scene. The Midlands Meander is a popular tourist destination.
Eastern region
Although most of this area is very rural, Richards Bay is one of the country’s industrial hotspots because of its coal terminal, port and aluminium smelters. The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is a major economic node in itself and with the possibility of a power plant being built, the RBIDZ could become an energy hub. Mining is an important sector in this region.
The other major urban centre is Empangeni which has several educational institutions. The King Shaka International Airport is adjacent to the Dube TradePort, a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) which is attracting investors.
Northern region
The economic powerhouse is Newcastle in the north-west: coal mining, steel processing and manufacturing are major activities. Some old coal mines are being reopened by new coal companies to cater for the country’s power stations’ demand for the fuel.
Game farms, trout fishing and hiking are part of an attractive package for tourists, and Zululand is a popular destination for cultural experiences. The region is rich in Anglo-Boer War history which includes battle sites such as Islandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.
As one of the oldest agricultural industries in the country, which supports the livelihoods of 269 000 employees, generates R55-billion in revenue for the economy and builds a strong brand reputation as a unique asset for the country, the South African wine industry has become part of our cultural and economic fabric.
During the past year our industry has worked tirelessly to be part of the solution when our country found itself in the grip of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. This included collaborating with government and proactively implementing preventative measures from farm to retail to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people working throughout our value-chain and the broader community.
Despite continuous engagement with government to curb the spread of the virus through the implementation of a risk-adjusted approach to re-opening the economy and addressing the social ills of alcohol abuse through a social compact, our proposals were not taken into account when the third ban was introduced on 28 December 2020. Government has also not been transparent with us on justifying the continued ban, nor did they give any explanation or clarity on the timeline for a review of this ban. This makes planning and contingency plans impossible.
This proudly South African industry, which also strongly relies on tourism and hospitality, now finds itself in a dire position after a ban of 19 weeks since March 2020. This resulted in a loss of more than R8-billion in direct sales and the possible closure of cellars and producers, threatening 27 000 jobs and putting the most vulnerable in our communities in a poverty trap which will have far reaching socio-economic outcomes that will place an even greater strain on our healthcare system.
Furthermore, with the 2021 harvest commencing this week, the industry now has more than 640 million litres of stock of which 300 million is uncontracted. This poses a material risk of insufficient processing and storage capacity for the new harvest and threatens the sustainability of the wine industry.
While we share government’s concern over the devastating effect of this pandemic and support meaningful measures to flatten the curve, we do not support the continued outright ban on the sale of wine while alternative interventions are available to mitigate risks.
Faced with the devastating impact that the third ban has had on the wine industry, Vinpro was left with no choice but to approach the Cape High Court.
Vinpro is not saying a liquor ban may not be justified when hospitals and particularly trauma units are under pressure. However, we believe that not only has the wrong level of government been dealing with the retail sale of liquor during the national state of disaster, but government has used and maintained nationwide bans which are overbroad, unnecessary, unjustified and, indeed, counter-productive.
A more flexible, nimble approach is needed, based on credible empirical data, where the provincial executive should be empowered to deal with the retail sale of liquor for the rest of the pandemic, because provincial authorities are normally responsible for regulating the sale of liquor and in charge of healthcare and provincial hospitals, thus they are better equipped to manage the delicate balance between lives and livelihoods.
Although the liquor ban is intended to ensure that hospitals have the capacity to treat those who become ill, the pandemic affects provinces differently at any given point in time and capacity requirements in hospitals will therefore differ across the country. Despite this, government has never differentiated between provinces when it comes to implementing or lifting of the liquor ban. Instead, a nationwide ban has been imposed and then again lifted, without regard for the circumstances in individual provinces.
Urgent interim relief will be sought which would afford the Premier of the Western Cape the power to adopt deviations to enable off- and on-consumption sale of liquor in the province. Ultimately similar relief will be sought in respect of other provinces. The matter is set down for hearing on 5 February 2021.
Vinpro is relieved that the numbers of new infections, active cases and hospital admissions are now dropping fast across the country, but particularly in the Western Cape. In these circumstances, the liquor ban is simply no longer justified in the Western Cape. Accordingly, to the extent that the situation does not change for the worse, and if the liquor ban is still in force in the Western Cape by 5 February, the Western Cape High Court will be asked to invalidate Minister Dlamini-Zuma’s ban in the Western Cape with immediate effect.
As honest brokers, we strongly believe in the power of a shared vision where we have the same objectives – a healthy and prosperous South Africa.
We will continue our support of government in the fight against Covid-19, while working for the economic survival of our sector and the people who rely on it for their livelihoods.
The Sasol One Site in Sasolburg was founded in 1950 and converted from coal gasification in 2004, and now uses more efficient natural gas in its production processes (credit: Sasol)
A regional overview of the Free State Province
By John Young
As of February 2020, nearly 100 new permanent jobs had been created within the Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP SEZ), the strategically located area on the N3 highway designed to attract new investment to the Free State Province.
Sectors prioritised at the MAP SEZ include logistics, ICT, automotive, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and agro-processing. The 1000 ha site has four zones: agro-processing, light industrial, heavy industrial and a container terminal. Control of the project now rests with the provincial Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA).
Other areas that are being upgraded to provide infrastructure to encourage manufacturing are the Phuthaditjhaba Industrial Park and the Botshabelo Industrial Park. The N3 is South Africa’s busiest road and the Highway Junction truckstop at the entrance to Harrismith claims to be Africa’s biggest. More than 1 500 vehicles pass through every day and three forecourts cater to three fuel brands. Refuelling, storage and handling take place here, highlighting the province’s strengths in logistics as the country’s most central province.
The country’s two great highways pass through the province. The N3 links the ports of Richards Bay and Durban with the industrial heartland and the N1 provides north-south connectivity. The provincial capital, Bloemfontein, is another logistics hub. Three other national highways intersect the province which is also well served by rail and air links. The Bram Fischer International Airport serves the provincial capital.
Links to the west (Kimberley and on to Namibia) and east (to Lesotho) underpin the planning behind the N8 Corridor concept which covers Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. A plan for the coordinated development of the N8 Corridor has been approved by a range of bodies and is being funded by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.
Projects and purchases
The Omnia Group is present in 45 countries, has more than 4 400 employees and a net asset value of R9.7-billion (March 2020). The company’s agricultural and chemicals divisions have a large presence in the northern Free State town of Sasolburg and the company has recently acquired a US-based firm that specialises in patented agriculture biological products, further expanding its geographical footprint and product range.
International fuel, gas and chemicals company Sasol regularly invests in new technologies and in expanding production of its many products.
Renergen, the owners of the Virginia Gas Project, announced in March 2020 that their findings had “radically improved” the company’s drilling plan. One of the key facts to emerge is that the gas contains helium of up to 12%, a good percentage. Despite the drawback associated with Covid-19, Renergen also announced that it was going to roll out filling stations across South Africa to cater to companies in the trucking industry converting to gas.
Mining is reduced in importance but remains a significant employer. Harmony Gold has several assets in the province and Sibanye-Stillwater has undertaken a feasibility study on a property adjacent to its existing Beatrix mine.
In agriculture, the Free State is looking forward to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the free trade agreement that was stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Free State’s agricultural export basket is well suited to trading with African states and strategies are being considered to promote apples, asparagus, cherries, cut flowers, sorghum, venison and wine.
The Free State produces significant proportions of South Africa’s wheat (30%), sunflowers (45%) and maize (45%) and is ranked third in contribution to national GDP in agriculture.
The Free State shares borders with six other provinces, in addition to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. A summer-rainfall region with a mean annual rainfall of 532 mm, the Free State’s climate, soil types and topography vary greatly within the province, with plains in the west and mountains in the east.
The western and southern areas are semi-desert, with some Karoo vegetation occurring in the south. The southernmost region of the Free State is a largely dry area with open grasslands predominating, although it is also home to the Gariep Dam, South Africa’s largest dam.
The Gariep Dam
Municipalities in Free State
The Free State has one metropolitan municipality (Mangaung), four district municipalities and 19 local municipalities.
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality is a Category A municipality which governs Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. The sixth-largest city in the country, the Mangaung municipal area covers more than 6 263 km² and has a population of about 850 000 people. Bloemfontein is responsible for about 25% of provincial GDP.
The southernmost region of the Free State is a largely dry area with open grasslands predominating, although it is also home to the Gariep Dam, South Africa’s largest dam. The dam is also the site of small hydro-power and aquaculture projects. The nearby Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve and the Mynhardt Game Reserve are popular. Crops are produced in the northern parts of the district and sheep farming is the biggest activity in the south. Diamonds, gravel and clay are mined at Koffiefontein. Jagersfontein is one of the first places where diamonds were found.
Mining is the most important economic activity in this area, also known as the Free State
Goldfields, but it is also the most important maize-growing area in South Africa. A large natural gas field has been discovered on what used to be gold turf. Bothaville hosts the annual NAMPO maize festival and the headquarters of Grain SA. Welkom is the major urban centre in the district. The area has tourist assets such as a holiday resort on the Allemanskraal Dam, the Goldfields Wine Cellar in Theunissen and the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve.
The chemical complex at Sasolburg is the economic driver in the district, which shares a border with Gauteng province along the Vaal River. Kroonstad is the district’s second-largest town and has a number of engineering works and a railway junction.
A good proportion of South Africa’s grain crop is sourced from this district and when the vast fields of sunflowers and cosmos flowers are in bloom, a marvellous vista is created. The Vaal River presents opportunities for yachting, rafting and resort-based enterprises. Parys is a charming town and Vredefort is home to a World Heritage site – the Vredefort Dome where a meteor crashed to earth.
Fezile Dabi District Municipality is the biggest contributor towards the provincial GDP, contributing approximately 35%. The Fezile Dabi area is mostly dominated by the industrial power of Sasol, with the manufacturing of refined petroleum, coke and chemical products adding largely to its GDP.
Tourism and fruit farming are the two principal economic activities of this area which is characterised by beautiful landscapes: the Maluti and the Drakensberg mountain ranges, wetlands in the north, well-watered river valleys and the plains of the north and west. The most famous asset is the Golden Gate National Park.
Industrial activity is undertaken at Harrismith and Phuthaditjhaba, where the Free State Development Corporation is promoting investment. The Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Harrismith is a multi-modal transport and logistics hub. The commercial centre of the district is Bethlehem while Clarens and Ficksburg have become famous for their artists and cherries respectively.
Boats built in Cape Town are collecting astronauts in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico after they splash down. Epping-based Gemini Marine has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to supply recovery boats for astronauts returning from the International Space Station. A selection of international clients includes the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal New Zealand Navy, the United Nations and the Singapore Special Forces.
Marine industry insight
The South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX) reports that the sector is particularly strong in catamarans and yachts, but a growing variety of boats are being built. These includes custom and semi-custom built monohulls, powerboats, commercial vessels, sport-fishing boats and inflatables.
Two Oceans Marine manufactures both power and sailing catamarans in 4 500 m² of factory space on two different premises, in Cape Town harbour and in Paarden Island. The company runs an internship programme with False Bay TVET College.
Damen Shipyards Cape Town is building three inshore patrol vessels for the South African Navy, the first of which will be delivered in 2021. The vessels will be used to secure South Africa’s waters against threats such as illegal fishing, smuggling and piracy.
Since 2014, investments worth R30-billion have been made into the sector and created more than 7 000 direct jobs (Invest Cape Town). The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) reports that in 2016 the oil, gas and marine sector supported 8 320 jobs and contributed R1-billion to the province’s gross value add.
The Western Cape has enthusiastically embraced the national strategy called Operation Phakisa (“hurry up” in Sesotho). The 2033 target is for the share of the Maritime Economy to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 250% (and perhaps as much as 350%) compared to its current value, to a figure between R129-billion and R177-billion. A million new jobs are expected to be created.
The construction of an offshore supply base in the Port of Saldanha on a dedicated quay is an excellent example of the impact of Operation Phakisa. Saldehco, a privately-owned South African special purpose vehicle with foreign investors, submitted a tender in 2016 through the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to build this infrastructure to support the growing oil and gas industry.
Large industrial operations already exist at Saldanha and the Port of Saldanha Bay is the portal for the export of South Africa’s iron ore. The Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (SBIDZ) is becoming a hub for a range of maritime repair activities and oil rig maintenance and repair.
The National Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and the DEDAT have collectively invested R500-million in core infrastructure and a lease agreement has been signed with TNPA. The SBIDZ fits neatly into two overarching visions: Operation Phakisa and Project Khulisa, the targeted growth strategy of the Western Cape Provincial Government which includes servicing and repairing of oil rigs as a priority.
The marine transport committee of the South African Oil and Gas Alliance (SAOGA) is preparing South Africa to reap the potential of the sector. It has developed 18 initiatives across three categories: infrastructure and operations, skills and market growth.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, the Port of Cape Town did not shut down for a single day. Working teams were reduced and reallocated but the vital work of loading and unloading supplies was done. A task force with a wide range of representatives from government, business and port authorities is working on reducing congestion at the harbour.
A renewed focus on ship repair through facilities such as the Sturrock and Robinson drydocks is on the cards for the Port of Cape Town, which has a diverse offering through its Container Terminal, Multipurpose Terminal, Liquid Bulk Terminal and Fresh Produce Terminal.
The Port of Cape Town (Credit: Transnet National Ports Authority)
The Western Cape fishing industry
About 310-million kilograms of fish is consumed annually by South Africans, of which about half is caught locally. The main fish are hake and sardines and almost all of that is harvested in Western Cape waters by deep-sea trawlers.
The fishing industry earns R3.4-billion in foreign earnings annually and employs 26 500 people across 22 sectors, the main ones being deep-sea trawling and aquaculture (JSE). The aquaculture industry is currently small, but since 2014 investment commitments of about R700-million have been made.
The allocation of commercial fishing rights in 12 sectors that was due to happen in 2020 has been postponed to December 2021. It is likely that the quotas of larger fishing companies will be reduced in favour of small-scale fishing companies.
There have been several changes in ownership in the fishing industry, most likely linked to the upcoming determination of new fishing rights in which black shareholding will be a factor. The acquisition by black-controlled Sea Harvest Group of Viking Fishing is part of a larger trend.
Tiger Brands has unbundled its 42% stake in Oceana Group. Oceana holds the popular pilchards brand Lucky Star, which enjoys 80% of market share in South Africa, and has the highest market value of fishing companies in South Africa. The Oceana Group recently purchased Foodcorp’s fishing rights and a US fishmeal and oil company, Daybrook.
The 13th annual Africa Energy Indaba will assemble representatives from development banks, investment funds, solar developers, IPPs, EPCs and other solar stakeholders to engage in comprehensive dialogues to solve Africa’s solar energy challenges in an endeavour to see projects realised.
The virtual conference is sure to enlighten attendees on what African leaders and businesses are doing to enable the supply of reliable and sustainable energy for the continent. This definitive global platform is focused on connecting solar project development and finance and investment in the four leading solar electrification segments (utility-scale, commercial & industrial, mini/microgrids and off-grid).
According to the industry experts, Africa has shown great progress in the development of its solar energy markets over the years. The continent has experienced a growth of over 1.8 GW of new solar installations, with 1.4 GW coming from photovoltaic (PV) installations, which was a significant jump from the 786 MW that was brought online in 2017.
In 2016, South Africa had 1,329 MW of installed solar power capacity and this capacity is expected to reach 8,400 MW by 2030. Two new solar plants now feeding 132 MW into South Africa’s grid and two utility-scale solar plants in the Northern Cape, Aggeneys Solar and Konkoonsies II Solar, have commenced commercial operations, adding a collective 132 MW to South Africa’s generation capacity.
“Addressing Africa’s large and persistent power deficit is key to achieving economic and social targets. There is significant potential for solar power, both at the utility and off-grid scale, to assist in reducing this shortfall,” says the Africa Energy Indaba MD, Liz Hart. This is owing particularly to the given high solar irradiation in many countries, as well as the declining price of PV equipment in recent years.
Governments increasingly see both forms of solar power as critical to their electrification objectives. In an endeavour to increase investment on the continent’s solar front, African ministers are encouraging international investors to participate in solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) processes and empowering them to own and operate solar farms in their own capacity.
Many African nations have employed solar energy as a solution to tackling climate change, keeping abreast of their development and ensuring food security. Extensive research from some of the world’s most renowned energy experts has elucidated that no other energy source, including hydro and wind, can provide power and have an impact as sustainable, reliable, and efficient as solar.
However, successful implementation of solar is futile without regional cooperation to enable expediting the process of implementing solar under a single framework. As most municipalities operate completely independently from one another, this consequently implies that they are unable to foresee or understand the benefits or the process pertaining to such regional integration initiatives.
WTM Africa and suite of sister shows to run as a virtual event from 07-09 April 2021 with a live element from 01-03 September during Tourism Month.
The virtual and live events form part of a 365-day plan to offer a significant ROI for exhibitors and international buyers.
Cape Town, 26 January 2021 – Africa Travel Week (ATW) has unveiled an audacious plan for its 2021 suite of shows, which includes several value-add opportunities, in addition to WTM Africa, which will run as a 100% virtual exhibition from 07-09 April 2021.
“The plan for WTM Africa has always been about offering value beyond the show floor. This year, we’re focussing heavily on that, with a robust plan that offers significant ROI across 365 days, instead of three,” says Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism and Creative Industries at Reed Exhibitions Africa.
In addition to the virtual show in April, which consists of 1-to-1 meetings, content sessions and speed networking, ATW has lined up a collection of additional events throughout the year, which include:
Educational content webinars from May to August.
Africa Travel Week: Connect in the City Live from 1-3 September, including on-site experiences in the official Host City of Cape Town.
A series of virtual masterclasses from September to November.
Said Oberholzer: “Our plan takes on a blended approach where travel trade professionals benefit from connecting with their industry peers at face-to-face meetings later on in the year. Safety and wellbeing remain our number one priority and we will adjust this element of our offering accordingly.”
The three-day Africa Travel Week Live which coincides with Tourism Month, will comprise:
Familiarisation tours. ATW will host international travel media and buyers in the City of Cape Town to experience tourism products first-hand.
A dedicated travel and tourism conference with a top-notch speaker programme of industry thought leaders and experts.
Destination training sessions for Hosted Buyers
Our ever-popular speed networking sessions where buyers are split according to region and product interests.
A networking evening for attendees to meet and reconnect with industry friends and peers face-to-face.
The African Travel & Tourism Awards, honouring industry pioneers.
The blended format of WTM Africa throughout 2021 will also apply to its suite of sister shows including International Luxury Market Africa (ILTMA), International Business Tourism Market Africa (IBTMA), The Sports & Tourism Exchange (SETE), Africa Tourism Investment Summit (ATIS), Travel Forward and EQUAL Africa.
Attendees and industry professionals may remain connected and informed throughout 2021 via atwconnect.com, ATW’s dedicated resource hub jam-packed with free digital tools, industry news and updates.
“Our industry is inspired to make travel happen again and we want to be a part of that journey to rebuild the travel and tourism industry in 2021 by being active with initiatives that help our industry connect throughout the year,” said Oberholzer. “We need to keep the momentum up to ensure travel to Africa remains top of mind, which is one of the reasons why I’m delighted that we’re able to create a 365-day initiative.”
In line with Free State Growth and Development Strategy and the mandate of broadening access to economic opportunities for the Free State-based business sector, the Free State Development Corporation (FDC) will continue to unlock business opportunities for both local and foreign direct investors.
The World Bank Group flagship report, June 2020, projected a global GDP contraction of 5.2%. The South African real GDP is also expected to go down by 7.2% in 2020 due to the economic restrictions that were implemented by government through its risk-adjusted alert levels in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The rand has depreciated significantly against the US dollar since the beginning of the year. All of these challenges present a very difficult road ahead. The economic recovery will need all the social partners to hold hands and work together.
Both the national and provincial government have provided some relief to businesses in one form or another. The FDC has also partnered with government departments to assist businesses in distress in order to cushion the blow caused by the global health crisis.
The Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a tremendous blow to our SMMEs. Many have been forced to shut their operations for months due to the lockdown regulations. This has had a negative impact on their survival and sustainability with some downsizing their operations, while others have had to cease operations. The FDC continues to foster partnerships with various stakeholders from municipalities, government departments and other state entities with the aim of advancing SMME development, promoting exports, attracting investments within the province and most importantly, saving businesses.
As an organisation, we believe that the best way to grow the Free State and the country is through meaningful collaboration and partnerships which allows us to pool all our resources together for the betterment of our entrepreneurs.
This Free State Business 2021 publication presents the Free State’s value proposition as a business and tourism destination. Key opportunities in the Free State include the following:
A leading agricultural commodities producer presents significant opportunities across the agro-processing value chain.
Aquaculture activities associated with the Gariep Dam.
Sheep farming and related value-chain processing.
Tourism development potential leveraging off heritage sites and assets.
Engineering opportunities within the Lejweleputswa District as a result of excellent engineering training and capacity-building within the mining sector.
Jewellery beneficiation.
The Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP SEZ), situated at Tshiame in Harrismith
in the Thabo Mafutsanyane District in the Eastern Free State is targeting investments into the province. This SEZ is situated midway between the biggest port in Africa, Durban, and the biggest market in Africa, Gauteng.
The Industrial Parks in Sasolburg, the anchor town of the Metsimaholo Municipality in the Fezile Dabi District in the Northern Free State are available for rental to industrial tenants.
Thabo Lebelo, CEO of the FDC
We will utilise all our resources in creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive and unleash the potential of the provincial economy to grow through our commitment to:
Relationship building.
Commitment to our customers and investors.
Economic transformation for the common good of all our people.
Assisting investors with accessing incentives and grants where available.
With the continued support from the provincial government, we will indeed grow the Free State.
London: Investing in African Mining (Mining Indaba), part of Hyve Group Plc announced the exceptional line-up of keynote speakers for Mining Indaba Virtual, which will take place 2-3 February 2021.
The organisers are extremely delighted to confirm four heads of state will be delivering keynote addresses, including H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, H.E. Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of Botswana and H.E. Félix Tshisekedi, President of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) discussing the opportunity for international investment and much more for their countries.
Joining the heads of state on the expanding list of speakers are CEOs from major mining companies, government leaders and senior representatives from across the global mining industry. Tackling topics from reigniting mining capital: ESG investing in a Covid-recovery world, harnessing technology and automation to grow economies to opportunities for battery metals in the global reboot, green metals, PGMs and global decarbonisation and more.
This year’s virtual event has been designed to reflect the priorities of helping to rebuild and shape the future of the industry. Spread over two half days, it will boast a highly exceptional line-up of industry speakers. “Mining Indaba has been built on 27 years of industry support, and this year, although virtual, we want to help to continue to support the industry during such a turbulent year. The programme truly reflects the industry’s needs and will support the industry for the year ahead.” Tom Quinn, Head of Content, Mining Indaba and Africa Oil Week.
The line-up of speakers joining heads of state includes:
Hon. Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Minerals Resources & Energy, South Africa
Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive, Anglo American
Roger Baxter, CEO, Minerals Council South Africa
Mxolisi Mgojo, CEO, Exxaro Resources
Bold Bataar, CEO Energy & Minerals, Rio Tinto
Neal Froneman, CEO, Sibanye-Stillwater
Alfred Baku, Executive Vice President, Gold Fields
Nigel Beck, Head of Sustainable Finance, Standard Bank
Shirley Webber, Managing Director – Head of Natural Resources, Absa Bank
Steven Phiri, CEO, RBPlat
Natascha Viljoen, CEO, Anglo American Platinum
Rebecca Campbell, Partner, White & Case
Humphrey Oriakhi, Managing Director, PAC Capital Limited
Adrian Hammond, Lead PGM Analyst, SBG Securities
Geared towards building ‘Resilience and Regrowth: Adopting the New Mindset for African Mining’ to help rebuild and shape the future of the industry.
This free to attend online conference is now CPD certified, meaning attendance counts towards professional development, featuring high-level content including pioneering insights, multi-stakeholder strategic conversations, presidential addresses and more.
Registration for the Mining Indaba Virtual has now opened, the event is free to attend. For moreinformation about the programme, visit the website here.
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