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Innovation, skills and learning at Machine Tools Africa 2020

Based on the success of Machine Tools Africa 2017, innovative machine tools will again be in the spotlight in 2020 profiling latest technologies that will affect the shape of things to come. It happens only once every three years and provides a unique opportunity to stay ahead of your game.

As the biggest trade exhibition of its kind in Africa, Machine Tools Africa is all about innovation with its focus on additive manufacturing, automation and control, CNC machinery, cutting tools, machines, robotics, and more. Taking place from 12 to 15 May at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg, it’s a showcase of everything that twists, turns, rotates, cuts, forms, bends or shapes.

Reflective of the South African machine tools market, the exhibition has been designed in partnership with the Machine Tools Merchants’ Association of South Africa (MTMA), and has their full commitment and endorsement.

Although the local machine tools industry has been experiencing tough trading conditions, there is an understanding of the value of exhibiting and the importance of an industry showcase of this nature. Support from industry has been positive with 92% of floor space already sold.

As a value-add for visitors, the Seminar Theatre, hosted by the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE), will see top industry experts presenting topics covering latest innovation, industry trends and future technologies. These seminars are free to attend.

Machine Tools Africa 2017 was a great success. A stand-alone show for the first time in 20 years, the feedback received from exhibitors was extremely positive. The show attracted a high quality audience with thousands of visitors attending over the four days. Hundreds of sales leads were generated, major sales were made from the stands and existing customers had the opportunity to see live demonstrations on machinery and equipment brought in exclusively for the show.

Another visitor attraction will be the ATI Skills Zone, where the future of skills development will be in the spotlight. Developed in partnership with the Artisans Training Institute (ATI), this area will be a fully functional workshop where learners will demonstrate trade skills learned at ATI including electrical, instrumentation, welding, and fitting and turning, amongst others.

The South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), representing the capital equipment and project sector both for new projects and for the aftermarket, has partnered with Machine Tools Africa and will be supporting the ‘new products and technologies’ walk-way with its demarcated stands.

Also committed to the show is the South African Institute of Welding (SAIW), a non-profit technical organisation dedicated to furthering standards in welding-fabrication and related technologies.

“We’re heartened by the response we’ve had to Machine Tools Africa 2020,” says Gary Corin, Managing Director of Specialised Exhibitions, the organisers of the show. “We’re mindful of the current economic trading conditions and so it is very encouraging that we’ve had such a positive response from exhibitors.”

“We’re also delighted to work alongside the Machine Tools Merchants’ Association of South Africa again this year and to have the support and endorsement of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering, the South African Capital Equipment Export Council and the South African Institute of Welding. This support will bring further value to the exhibition experience,” says Corin.

“High performance machine tools touch every aspect of our lives. We’re looking forward to Machine Tools Africa 2020 and seeing the very latest in global machine tools technology,” Corin concludes.

For more information about Machine Tools Africa 2020, visit the website:
www.machinetoolsafrica.co.za or contact the organisers.

Be part of Cape Town’s growing food and beverage sector

When it comes to food manufacturing companies in South Africa, Cape Town is an established hub for the national production and distribution of produce and beverages.

In fact, Cape Town boasts some of South Africa’s largest companies in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. Add to this the creation of a proudly Cape Town branding campaign by the City and it’s no surprise that entities such as Wesgro have begun to strongly promote Cape Town food and beverage offerings on an international scale too. Not just to greater Africa, but the world at large.

“Cape Town already boasts some of South Africa’s largest food and beverage manufacturing companies, making the city a well-established hub for the sector. This has contributed to the establishment of Cape Town as a forward-looking, globally competitive business city.” Ian Neilson (Deputy Mayor)

Investors and enterprises who invest or operate locally will find that they’ve joined a city that places great emphasis on sustainable, ethical food and beverage manufacturing. This is particularly pertinent in regards to scaling the supply chain to meet greater demand locally and abroad.

Food and beverage is now the largest of Cape Town’s manufacturing industries. It contributes 3.6% of Cape Town’s GVA and 4.1% of its formal employment. The industry has a metro location quotient of 1.3, meaning that it is relatively more important to Cape Town’s economy than it is to other metros (Project Camissa Report 2019). This is considered a comparative advantage industry for the city within South Africa.

Learn more about Cape Town’s food and beverage manufacturing industry at https://www.investcapetown.com/opportunities/food-beverage-manufacture/

Innovative Africa: Investing in the Tourism Value Chain at WTM Africa’s ATIS

Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, City of Cape Town.

The African Tourism Value Chain – and finding innovative ways to participate in and stimulate the continental tourism economy – are the focus of the African Tourism Investment Summit (ATIS) 2020, in partnership with ABG, at World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town on 7 & 8 April.

Led by industry experts, government and investors with in-depth knowledge, ATIS will bring together continental and global players to explore investment opportunities and continental policies that create a conducive environment for tourism development and promote intra-African joint venture partnerships dedicated to accelerating investment in tourism. Interactive breakaway sessions will facilitate high level discussions with policy makers and investment professionals from around the globe.

As Africa unwraps its continent-wide free trade agreement, travel and tourism is poised to expand and offer unprecedented growth opportunities for the continent. An exclusive Pitch and Deal-Room Platform will facilitate the exploration of intra-African joint venture partnerships dedicated to accelerating investment in major tourism opportunities.

Confirmed high-level industry expert speakers and panelists include:

  • Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, City of Cape Town
  • Prof. Landry Signe, David M. Rubenstein Fellow, Africa Growth Initiative, Brookings Institute and Author, Africa’s Tourism Potential, Washington, United States of America
  • Alain St. Ange, President, African Tourism Board, Seychelles
  • Hermione Nevill, Industry, Senior Tourism Specialist, Industry Solutions, Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Global Practice, World Bank Group, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Ken Osei, Principal Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Helena Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Gastro Gatherings, Chicago, United States of America
  • Dr Theuns Vivian, Head of Tourism Promotion, Enterprise and Investment, City of Cape Town
  • Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director General, Department of Economic Development & Tourism, Western Cape
  • Thomas Mueller, Founder & CEO, Rainmaker, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Neethling du Toit, Chief Technology Officer, WETU Tourism Technology Services, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Dr Jacques Ludik, Founder & President MIIA, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Cortex Group, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Adrian Gardiner, Chairman, Mantis Collection, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Stuart Slabbert, Director, African Conservation Investments, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Percy Mkhosi, Chief Executive Officer, Datacomb, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Carol Weaving, Managing Director, Reed Exhibitions, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Michael Sudarkasa, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Business Group, Johannesburg South Africa

Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism & Sports Portfolio for Reed Exhibitions South Africa says ATIS 2020 brings together public and private sector representatives to discuss projects and finance initiatives and explore the untapped potential of Africa’s tourism sector. “While WTM Africa offers a plethora of opportunities for collaboration and exploring the continental tourism space, ATIS is focused on showcasing investment opportunities that will help stimulate the continent’s economic growth through one of our most valuable assets,” she says.

To confirm your attendance, register here.

Registration is R2 500 (incl VAT) per delegate and space is limited.

For more information about the Summit:

Visit https://africa.wtm.com/events/InvestmentSummit1/ or contact the Reed Exhibitions South Africa team on Email: atis@reedexpoafrica.co.za or Telephone: + 27 11 549 8300

ATIS 2020 takes place alongside WTM Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 6-8 April.

Hotel & Hospitality Show now even bigger and better

Formerly known as the Hotel Show Africa and now branded the Hotel & Hospitality Show, this fast-growing trade show has become a hugely successful component of Africa Trade Week.

Giving delegates a 360-degree view of the latest products and services for the sub-Saharan African hospitality market, the Hotel & Hospitality Show is the must-attend event for food services, hospitality stakeholders and hotels.

Its highlights include the one-day Hospitality Leadership Forum, discussing industry trends, challenges and opportunities; and the popular Southern Africa Housekeepers League of Champions competition. This year, the show will debut new highlights including a Women in Food, Beverage & Hospitality Awards event, recognising outstanding achievement across 10 award categories including Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, Best Women’s Skills Development Programme, and Hotel Chef of the Year.

The Hotel & Hospitality Show is presented by dmg events and will be co-located with SAITEX – Africa’s original multi-sector trade show – and Africa’s Big 7 food and beverage sector show, as part of Africa Trade Week at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 21 – 23 June 2020.  Africa Trade Week attracts over 10,000 attendees from around the world each year.

A limited number of stands are still available. For information, please click here   

Expanding the Free State provincial economy through small business development

The Free State Provincial Government’s endorsement and support of the 2nd Annual Smart Procurement World Conference and Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) Expo will see the building of sustainable local industries. In addition, says Debbie Tagg, COO of Smart Procurement (the organisers of the event), the event will help to accelerate SMMEs on their journey to becoming mainstream economic players.

The Free State Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) and Free State Provincial Treasury are the official provincial partners for the event, which is being held at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein from 24 to 26 February 2020.

“It is with great pleasure that the Free State Provincial Government, through the Free State Provincial Treasury, is now able to provide its support of the Smart Procurement World Conference, in collaboration with DESTEA,” says Linda Riddles, Compliance Specialist, Free State Provincial Treasury.

“This event will afford professionals the unique opportunity to interact with the region’s top procurement and supply chain thinkers and other national counterparts to discuss innovative ways to get ahead of the curve and to drive economic development. The programme is current and relevant to anybody practising procurement in South Africa today, making it clear why it is commonly known as the premier industry event for supply chain management professionals,” Riddles adds.

Riddles explains that with budget constraints and the high percentage of poor audit findings in procurement, municipality officials and supply chain management practitioners are encouraged to attend the conference. “This is an ideal opportunity to broaden their understanding of best practises and to share knowledge across government entities. This procurement event also presents networking opportunities for supply chain management practitioners to engage with one another across public and private sectors.”

The conference programme will, amongst other focal points, discuss capacity and contractor development initiatives work for Free State small businesses and find ways to improve procurement processes to benefit women-owned businesses.

“Delegates will find the topics thought-provoking and practically useful. Some of the topics on the table include ‘Leadership Challenges in Procurement Today’, presented by Masechaba Sesing – Provincial Accountant General (PAG), Free State Provincial Treasury. Andries Louw – Chief Director, Transversal Internal Audit Services, Risk Management and Forensic Audit, Eastern Cape Department of Provincial Treasury – will present ‘Building Accountability, Transparency and Achieving Optimised Procurement’, and Gadija Brown – MEC, Finance, Free State Provincial Government – together with Basani Duiker – Chief Director: SCM GMC, Office of the CPO, National Treasury – will discuss how delegates can effectively deal with the ever-widening gap between audit expectations and findings,” says Tagg.

The co-located ESD Expo is a particularly strategic platform for the 100 local black-owned SMMEs to showcase their offerings to the procurement and supply chain liaison delegates.

For more information on the upcoming series of Smart Procurement World events for 2020, please visit the website at: www.smartprocurementworld.com

PMC’s support for ongoing sustainability drive is paying off

The water quality of the Olifants River (above) and the Selati River are constantly monitored as part of PMC’s Environmental Management Programme. [Credit: iStock by Getty's Images]

Palabora Mining Company’s code of ethics includes consideration given to the healthy work environment of employees but also to ensuring that sound environmental management is pursued so that the biodiversity of the natural environment in which PMC operates can be sustained for many years to come. These are among the company’s strategic imperatives.

Energy Management Programme

Mining activities are inherently very energy intensive, so PMC launched an Energy Management Programme in 2012 to curb the half-a-billion-rand energy bill which was continually growing. PMC collaborated with a consulting company, resulting in the employment of 12 energy specialists and project managers who would, in conjunction with mining personnel, identify, implement and sustain energy cost-saving projects. As a result, 117 initiatives were identified. Following stringent technical and financial adjudication processes, 31 projects were implemented.

  • Step 1: Identify energy cost-saving opportunities and ideas through data collection and process analysis.
  • Step 2: Scope the ideas in terms of cost and return.
  • Step 3: Prioritise the ideas based on ease of implementation, highest return and least cost.
  • Step 4: Develop an implementation plan for the suite of projects submitted to management and board members for approval.
  • Step 5: Implement the approved plan.
  • Step 6: Continuous measurement and verification of each project’s performance to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

As a result of adherence to the Productivity Approach over the past five years the company has saved R232-million through avoided energy costs. These consist of:

  • Electricity savings worth R181-million
  • Coal and liquid fuels savings worth R43-million
  • Water savings worth R8-million.

With the help of external funding mechanisms worth R28-million the Energy Management Programme had a net benefit of R173-million by the end of July 2017.

Palabora Mining Company’s Energy Management Programme has not only created a sustainable model but has also emphasised the company’s standpoint regarding its environmental responsibility. PMC is now an energy-efficiency leader in the mining sector.

Going green

The company is a certified ISO 14001 business, that subscribes to world-leading practices. Located directly adjacent to the world-renowned eco-tourism attraction, the Kruger National Park, Palabora Copper coordinates several onsite wildlife management and cultural heritage programmes as part of its ongoing sustainability drive.

Over the past years, Palabora Copper has retained a record of being one of the safest mines in South Africa and Africa. This is particularly due to the stringent SHEQ regulations and procedures in place, and the effective management of contractors on site.

www.palabora.co.za

Coega signs partnership for the development of industrial park in Free State

Officialising the partnership between CDC and LDA: (From left) Bonginkosi Mthembu, CDC Executive Manager and Bafunani Mnguni, CEO of Le Putswa Development Agency.

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) announced today that it has signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Lejwe Le Putswa Development Agency (LDA), from the Lejwe Le Putswa District Municipality in Free State.

The partnership, which will see the CDC using its extensive expertise in project management, developing and managing special economic zones, will assist LDA in developing projects such as the Thabong Industrial Park, a driver training program for youth and developing a synthetic gas project that will turn waste to gas for power generation.

The main project, development of Thabong Industrial Park, is a R69.7-million project aimed to formalise 19 businesses currently operating in the informal sector, creating employment opportunities for more than 160 people. The Industrial Park will enable emerging businesses to improve the quality standards of products in order to become more competitive and expand and create employment opportunities for local communities.

This is in line with the South African government initiatives for economic development and the transformation of various industries.

Mr Bafunani Mnguni, CEO of Le Putswa Development Agency, highlighted the importance of bringing in numerous investments in the area, and further expressed that “…the district wants to diversify its economy from the shrinking mining and agricultural sectors. There needs to be more sectors that are introduced to increase economic development in the area that has seen a high unemployment rate.”

Enthusiastic about the collaboration of both organisations, CDC Executive Manager, Mr Bonginkosi Mthembu expressed how the CDC is thrilled to have such partnerships: “Coega boasts over twenty (20) years of experience in the industrial and economic development projects. The organisation has sufficient expertise and competent personnel who can assist LDA on projects.”

“The CDC is looking forward to work with the Lejwe Le Putswa Development Agency. This is a step taken by both parties towards bringing in investors and enhancing the region’s investment attraction, particularly the Free State Province,” Mthembu added.

Alluding to sentiments shared by Mr Mthembu, the Head of Brand, Marketing and Communications, Dr Ayanda Vilakazi conveyed his appreciation as well to the Lejwe Le Putswa Development Agency for entrusting the CDC with such an important project for the Free State Province. As the award winner of the 2019 Top Investor of the Year in South Africa and the leading SEZ on the Continent, the CDC has certainly earned the respect of the industry in the implementation of mega infrastructure and economic development projects in the country.

https://www.coega.co.za/

Topics of discussion at the upcoming Africa Energy Indaba

Prevalent topics with reference to Africa’s energy sphere will form the core of discussions at the 12th Africa Energy Indaba. Interactive dialogues and key outcomes emanating from these themes will provide business growth opportunities for Africa’s energy sector and inspire the necessary transformation within this realm. Various thought-provoking sessions will involve the following:

What are African energy ministers doing to stimulate investment in the energy sectors of their countries? African leaders are proactively striving to improve aspects relating to three core dimensions: energy security, energy equity (accessibility and affordability), and environmental sustainability of energy systems, all of which require funding. The upcoming event will unpack integrated strategic endeavours that governments plan to implement to offer significant catalytic ramifications for long-term investment prospects across Africa’s energy sectors.

Africa’s energy transition requires innovative financing mechanisms to unlock Africa’s extensive renewable energy potential and increase the inclusive and sustainable development thereof. Forums have been intricately developed to educate players on the various governmental investment opportunities and financial solutions, such as maximising the flow of green finance and carbon funds together with the use of market mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and mobilising private capital to effectually develop the energy sector. South Africa’s IRP 2019 charts a course for a progressively lower relative contribution by coal-based electricity generation to total energy supply over time, and sessions will explore how this agenda drives investment opportunities in Africa.

In an effort to reduce national emissions and decrease their reliance on energy imports, while increasing clean air in cities and towns, African nations will inevitably observe a considerable shift in the transport sector. The Africa Energy Indaba is set to delve deeper into the details. Africa’s decarbonization endeavours, driven by the environmental sustainability agenda, is shifting the energy mix at an accelerated pace to a point that is predicted to position gas ahead of coal by 2030. This year’s event aims to reveal the intricacies concerning this exciting phase of transformation and disruption transpiring in Africa.

The prevalent energy transition is expected to generate broader socio-economic benefits, including the impact of expenditure in human capital and education, reduced negative health impacts from air pollution, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the depletion of natural resources. Discussions will center around how such socio-economic impacts of the energy transition will be converted to acceptable outcomes.

Adopting technology, cultivating talent across the generations and encouraging digital skills acquisition are fundamental factors to enhancing efficiency within the energy sector. Well-versed industry leaders attending the event, will impart their knowledge of opportunity development and management of related threats whilst proactively implementing strategies to fortify competitive advantage and boost profits through the digitization of operations within the landscape that is energy.

The above mentioned topics only scratch the surface of what the continent’s leading energy event has in store for its attendees. In addition, there are multiple divergent ground-breaking discussions to be presented by relevant luminaries of the energy realm, incorporating the recent and profound African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as well as the opportunities associated with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

During this time of critical energy transition, the Africa Energy Indaba 2020 aims to support African and international energy leaders to translate global objectives into regional and national business solutions; in order to secure a more accessible, affordable and sustainable energy future for the African continent.

Liz Hart, Managing Director of the Africa Energy Indaba, commented: “Doing business is key to the discussions at the Africa Energy Indaba. Our focus is on exploring how, using the various discussions, business can access opportunities in the African energy sector, learn how to do transactions and unlock bottlenecks with energy project developments.”

Project aims to translocate 300 elephants

Photo by Michael Siebert

Moving Giants

The first herds of elephants made the 1 700 km road journey to Zinave in the last week of June 2019. The final herds arrived at Zinave on 11 July, bringing the total number of elephants moved in 2019 to 53.

During the first phase of the project, 48 elephants were translocated. These elephants, moved in family groups, consisted of matriarchs, younger males and females, and calves. Those elephants have been seen integrating with other herds at Zinave and have been thriving with more space and food now available to them.

The translocation is part of a major conservation effort – “Moving Giants” – that aims to move some 200 elephants over three years to secure the future of the VLNR, which was under threat due to too many elephants affecting the broader ecosystem, and to help repopulate Mozambique’s elephant population.

VLNR is partnering with Peace Parks Foundation, a transfrontier conservation organisation whose aim is to re-establish, renew and preserve large functional ecosystems, and Conservation Solutions, experts in wildlife management whose team manage the challenging logistics and veterinary care of the elephants throughout the process. Peace Parks co-manage Zinave National Park with the Mozambique government and have ongoing responsibility for the wellbeing of the elephants.

Werner Myburgh, CEO, Peace Parks Foundation, said, “The future of the African elephant is bleak in most parts of Africa, except for the southern Africa region where the outlook on their population numbers are stable and even, in some cases, increasing. Zinave National Park in Mozambique is one of these places and brings hope as a new founder population is on the rise.”

Anglo American is backing up its investment in the elephant translocation initiative by providing Peace Parks with a further US$500 000 investment from the Anglo American Foundation to enhance and extend anti-poaching support measures. Peace Parks has been working with local communities to ensure that the introduction of the elephants to the park has a positive impact for their human neighbours.

Women are succeeding in mining

Impala Platinum's Marula Mine in Limpopo Province (Image: Implats)
Thabile Makgala

Thabile is the Executive: Mining at Implats, and chairperson of Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA). In 2018, she was selected as one of the “Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining” by Women in Mining UK.

Thabile has a Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Stellenbosch Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering (Cum laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Did you encounter obstacles on your mining career path?

I encountered numerous obstacles while navigating my mining career path. As the first female mining engineering graduate at Goldfields Kloof and Driefontein division (now Sibanye Gold), I soon realised that the industry had not adequately prepared itself to accept women in mining.

The industry was not ready. The response to women’s needs (infrastructure, personal protective clothing and policies) was slow and very little was in place to address women’s issues. Regardless of impeccable qualifications, solid work ethic and the achievement of production targets, my abilities would continue to be questioned and tested.

Is the environment now more conducive to women progressing?

It is encouraging to witness so many women succeed in an industry that has largely been developed for and by our male counterparts. Although there have been positive steps taken to make the current environment more conducive for women, more deliberate and proactive action is still required.

What should be prioritised to empower women?

Women and men should hold equal representation in the workplace, and mining companies should prioritise and advocate for diversity, inclusion, parity and greater recognition of female leadership within their organisations.

Is mining a transformed industry, or is it transforming?

The mining industry is transforming, and legislation has been instrumental in driving this transformation. I sincerely hope that 10 years from now the fundamental elements such as empowering, caring, showing respect, connecting and growing our female talent would have been achieved. I hope that the conversation about women, parity and inclusion would have advanced, and that the industry would have made a concerted effort to transform, without the need for legislation.

What innovation will be beneficial to the mining industry?

Data and the analytics will prove to be the competitive advantage for mines of the future. Converting conventional mining practices to lower-risk mechanisation and automation is key for the sustainability of the South African mining industry.

www.implats.co.za

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