Committee concerned over lack of uptake of WRC innovations

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has raised concern over the lack of uptake and exploitation of innovations developed by the Water Research Commission (WRC). Specifically, the... 

High interest rates continue to weigh on South African households

South Africa’s high interest rates over the past two years have raised the average debt cost burden to its highest level in 15 years. This is according to the Altron FinTech Household Resilience... 

South Africa’s water security challenge scores highest in study

South Africa’s low level of renewable fresh water per capita, high water use rates and high levels of both consumption and leakage have resulted in the country having the highest water challenge... 

Rising 5G adoption driving rapid digital transformation across MEA

Playing a critical role in future connectivity towards digital transformation, 5G adoption in Middle East and Africa (MEA) expected to reach one in four subscriptions by 2029. While 4G... 

MTN’s network quality maintains top spot

Telecommunications group MTN continues to maintain its top spot as South Africa’s best mobile network. According to MyBroadband Insights’ third-quarter 2024 Mobile Network Quality Report, Vodacom... 

Rand Water warns of worsening, critically low water supply in Gauteng

Bulk water supplier Rand Water is extracting water at the maximum volumes allowed by its Department of Water and Sanitation-issued extraction licence amid high water demand and is left with no... 

Govt considers benefit of entities such as Starlink

South Africa’s government continues to consider the potential benefits of enhanced attraction of investment, job creation and competition that entities such as Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink can bring... 

SPS selected to provide renewable-energy solution for significant Limpopo water supply project

The Lebalelo Water User Association (LWUA) has selected asset management company Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) as the preferred bidder to deliver a renewable-energy solution for the first stage... 

Gauteng Treasury to tackle financial shortfall with accelerated revenue enhancement

The Gauteng Provincial Treasury (GPT) is working to prevent potential bankruptcy, pay down e-toll debt, mitigate an underperforming department, and work within a drastically reduced budget.... 

Vodacom Business teams up with local govts to make South African cities smarter

Vodacom Business has partnered with local governments to provide technology solutions that help make South African cities smarter as it digitalises critical enterprise sectors. The partnership... 

Altron expects half-year earnings turnaround

JSE-listed Altron on Thursday reported an expected improvement in its earnings for the six months ended August 31. In a trading update, the company said it expected group headline earnings per... 

South Africa positioned well to leverage the benefits of a hydrogen economy

South Africa has an ideal opportunity, and is well positioned, to leverage the potential of the emerging hydrogen economy and establish an integrated value chain. Amid global hydrogen economy... 

DWS cautions of presence of cholera in Vaal, Harts rivers

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on Wednesday cautioned water users along the Vaal and Harts rivers in the North West and the Northern Cape of the presence of cholera. This followed a... 

AI embraced, but need to get basics right, says Malatsi

To truly leverage “every power” that lies within AI technologies in South Africa, there is a need to get the basics right. This included removing the barriers of entry for the most marginalised... 

Rand Water to embark on 56-hour water supply disruption to divert pipeline

Rand Water is preparing to implement a 56-hour project next week to divert its G20 pipeline to enable City Power to expand the Mondeor substation in Johannesburg. The diversion project will start... 

AI projected to contribute $19.9-trillion to global economy by 2030

Businesses’ investment in artificial intelligence (AI), leveraging its use in existing operations to deliver better products and services, is expected to have a cumulative global economic impact of... 

Condra to supply new cranes, refurbish others at new steel premises

Crane manufacturer Condra Cranes is manufacturing three new cranes and refurbishing 14 others as certified steel round bar, hollow bar and plate supplier Special Steels moves to bigger premises.... 

Coca-Cola, bottling partners to invest $25m in water initiatives in Africa

The Coca-Cola Company in Africa and its bottling partners – Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) and Coca-Cola HBC – plan to invest nearly $25-million to... 

Technology can help the water utilities get ahead of deteriorating water delivery systems

Technology can play a significant role in empowering South Africa’s water utilities to get ahead of the curve and arrest the accessibility and quality decline brought about by increasingly ageing... 

RMB facilitates landmark fibre infrastructure acquisition

Open-access fibre network operator Octotel’s acquisition by a consortium has closed under accelerated timelines, says RMB, which acted as the sole mandated lead arranger to fund the acquisition.... 

Sanral probing historic GFIP e-toll debt options

While the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) on Tuesday welcomed the first instalment by the Gauteng provincial government of its contribution to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement... 

DWS launches Vaal anti-pollution forum

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is preparing to launch a new forum aimed at mitigating the years-long pollution impacting the Vaal river’s water quality. The Vaal River Anti-Pollution... 

Lesotho Highlands Water Project tunnel set for six-month closure

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) tunnel is set to be closed on Tuesday for a period of six months for critical maintenance. The closure of the LHWP tunnel will affect the Phase I Water... 

Gauteng pays first GFIP e-toll instalment

The Gauteng provincial government (GPG) on Monday paid the first of five equal instalments of its agreed R12.9-billion contribution to historical e-toll debt. Of the first R3.8 billion paid to... 

Big Lesotho-SA tunnel maintenance vital for water scheme’s integrity

A major water-transfer tunnel supplying Gauteng’s water and half of Lesotho’s electricity will be closed for six months for critical planned maintenance starting on October 1. The maintenance... 

New pact to boost telecoms SMMEs

Digital infrastructure and managed services provider Seacom and ICT SMME Chamber have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster the growth and development of small, medium-sized... 

South African MVNOs focus on lifestyle value and personalisation

As South Africa’s mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market braces for explosive growth, emerging players are moving beyond competing on price towards delivering clear, lifestyle-driven value... 

Global mobile subscriptions topped 8.7bn in second quarter

The number of mobile subscriptions globally has reached nearly 8.7-billion, after 60-million subscriptions were added during the second quarter of this year, with global mobile subscription... 

Big Lesotho-SA tunnel maintenance vital for water scheme’s integrity

A major water-transfer tunnel supplying Gauteng’s water and half of Lesotho’s electricity will be closed for six months for critical planned maintenance starting on October 1. The maintenance... 

Just Water Partnerships a viable mechanism to unlock water investments, says Majodina

The Just Water Partnerships (JWPs) initiative is a viable mechanism to enable investments in water resilience and sustainability in low- and middle-income countries and contribute to national... 

Gauteng balancing finances, as first e-tolls debt due

It is a balancing act as Gauteng Provincial Treasury (GPT) works to prevent bankruptcy, pay down e-toll debt, mitigate an underperforming department, and work within a drastically reduced budget.... 

Modernisation will boost Southern Africa rail

Modernisation and digitisation will be critical to driving the future growth of Southern Africa’s railway industry. Key technological developments that will be central to creating interconnected... 

Surging municipal water debt threatens stability of entire water value chain

Urgent action is required to arrest South African municipalities’ ever-rising debt to water boards, which has increased 151% since 2019, highlighting a severe financial crisis within the water... 

New biomass plant in Pretoria in the offing

Bio2Watt Energy Holdings (BEH) has appointed SRK Consulting as the independent environmental consultant to undertake the environmental permitting processes for a new biogas plant near Pretoria. The... 

MTN, ZTE achieve Africa's first 5G ultra-range maritime coverage in South Africa

MTN South Africa and ZTE Corporation have collaborated to develop Africa's first 5G ultra-range maritime offshore coverage at Mossel Bay, in the Western Cape, South Africa. The deployment of... 

Cell C assures licence control transfer to TPC meets criteria, not anti-competitive

Cell C on Thursday assured rivals that it will maintain its holding of its Individual Electronic Communications Network Service and Individual Electronic Communications Service licences, and that... 

DWS needs workable plan to resolve debt to water boards – portfolio committee

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has raised concern over the lack of tangible plans to resolve increasing debt owed to water boards by municipalities. To resolve this, it has... 

MTN modernisation increases network availability score, 5G network coverage

Telecommunications group MTN South Africa has increased its network availability score to more than 98% as it modernises its network for resilience. More than 400 site have been modernised this... 

Tetra Pak ups liquid board packaging recycling to over 20%

Food processing and packaging solutions company Tetra Pak Southern Africa had increased the recycling rate of liquid board packaging (LBP) to more than 20% by mid-2024, bringing it closer to its... 

Digital platforms could boost South Africa’s economy by R91.4bn over next ten years

Digital platforms could provide transformative growth for South Africa’s economy, with projections indicating the addition of R91.4-billion into the country’s economy over the next ten years. A new...