Immediate action needed to arrest municipal debt to water boards

Urgent action is required to stop municipalities’ ever-increasing debt to water boards, the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation said on Wednesday. As at June 2024, the municipal debt to... 

Athlone Waste Water Treatment Works’ multibillion-rand upgrade on track

The City of Cape Town’s R4-billion capital investment programme to upgrade the Athlone Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) is under way, with 25% of the first phase of the programme having been... 

Gauteng e-Government Department invests in cybersecurity

Gauteng’s e-Government department is planning to increase cybersecurity for the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG). The GPG collects, manages and stores significant volumes of sensitive data, from... 

Telcos invest billions to protect networks from theft, power cuts and climate risks

South Africa’s telecommunications groups have struggled to maintain seamless communications amid challenges such as loadshedding and power outages, as well as theft and vandalism. They have had to... 

PPPs to be at core of strategic water management in South Africa

While there is no quick, one-size-fits-all solution for South Africa’s complex, ongoing water challenges, public-private partnerships (PPPs) can serve as a strategic model to address water... 

Telcos invest billions to protect networks from theft, power cuts and climate risks

South Africa’s telecommunications groups have struggled to maintain seamless communications amid challenges such as loadshedding and power outages, as well as theft and vandalism. They have had to... 

LHDA achieves critical milestone in Polihali tunnel construction

After seven months of tunnelling on the Polihali transfer tunnel construction site, the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has achieved the successful breakthrough of the upper intake... 

GSMA highlights AI’s potential to drive South Africa’s socioeconomic growth

South Africa has emerged as a pivotal player in leveraging AI for socioeconomic development and climate impact. However, unlocking the full potential of AI will require overcoming barriers such as... 

DWS empties fourth Riverlands dam

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has emptied the fourth dam in Riverlands, in the Western Cape, by means of a side channel spillway to prevent a more catastrophic collapse of the dam... 

MTN Group H1 earnings dip, but underlying operational performance remains strong

JSE-listed MTN on Monday reported double-digit declines in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) and service revenue for the first half of 2024. However, the group... 

Seacom celebrates 15th anniversary

Telecommunications and managed services provider Seacom is celebrating 15 years since inception, reflecting back on the evolution of its, and Africa’s, information and communication technology and... 

Department pledges to support municipalities, not interfere in their water provision responsibilities

While several municipalities across South Africa have battled to maintain consistent water services for citizens, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has said it will not “overtake and... 

Department close to clearing water-use licence applications pile

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) aims to ensure that all water-use licence applications will be processed within a 90-day period by the end of the current financial year. The... 

Renewables a top priority for Gauteng provincial govt

One of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development’s key strategies for the next year is to “reform the energy sector through a focus on alternative energy to support the growth of a new sector... 

Department of Water and Sanitation owed more than R25bn

Municipalities, companies and water boards collectively owe the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS’s) Water Trading Entity more than R25-billion for water use. This emerged during a... 

South Africa’s newest virtual mobile network operator launched

A new virtual mobile network operator (MVNO), C-Connect, has launched in South Africa, with ambitions of bringing more choice and competition to South Africa’s mobile subscribers. Leveraging... 

Big solar installation epitomises Sun City’s ongoing efforts to remain relevant

Sun International’s Sun City, in the North West, is continuing its drive to remain relevant as it progresses several successful initiatives to revamp the premier leisure and entertainment... 

Water infrastructure investment to be prioritised over duration of seventh administration

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will prioritise much-needed investment into water infrastructure over the duration of South Africa’s seventh administration. As the department works... 

Big solar installation epitomises Sun City’s ongoing efforts to remain relevant

Sun International’s Sun City, in the North West, is continuing its drive to remain relevant as it progresses several successful initiatives to revamp the premier leisure and entertainment... 

Cape Town’s R5bn budget set for water and sanitation investments

The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is preparing to deploy its Council-approved capital budget over the 2024/25 financial year. The city’s R18-billion water and sanitation... 

AfriForum gears up for yearly blue, green drop project

Civil society organisation AfriForum has started its yearly programme to test South Africa’s water. Branches nationwide are testing the water quality of drinking water and water at wastewater... 

Public Works Minister welcomes completed work at Lower uMkhomazi water project

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson on Tuesday welcomed the work being done by Infrastructure South Africa to unblock the bureaucracy and red tape around Umgeni-Uthukela... 

Rand Water in recovery after successful maintenance project

Water utility Rand Water on Tuesday said that its extensive, proactive infrastructure maintenance project has been successfully completed. The maintenance project was conducted from June 22 to July... 

Telkom posts Q1 growth as next-generation offerings take off

JSE-listed Telkom has reported growth in the first quarter of 2024, with group earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) up 24.1% to R2.78-billion. In a trading update... 

Skipping water infrastructure maintenance will cause challenges larger than electricity crisis, says Mahlobo

Many issues have been raised over Rand Water’s five-week extensive maintenance programme, following which many residents across Gauteng were left without water for days and weeks. Some are still... 

South Africa’s water projects held to ransom

South Africa’s water sector faces many challenges, yet with recent unblocking of projects, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) hopes to accelerate the recovery and improvement of the... 

DWS will support, not interfere with, municipalities’ water provision responsibilities

While several municipalities across South Africa have battled to maintain consistent water services for citizens, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said it cannot overtake and interfere... 

Competition Commission gives Swiftnet sale green light

The Competition Commission on Thursday recommended, with conditions, the R6.75-billion sale of masts and towers business Swiftnet, a decision that JSE-listed Telkom has welcomed. Telkom obtained... 

New partnership aims to tackle growing e-waste challenge through education, raising awareness among children

In an effort to mitigate growing electronic waste (e-waste) across South Africa, Cartoon Network Africa and registered producer responsibility organisation E-Waste Recycling Authority (ERA) have... 

Construction materials group looks forward as it reaches 90-year legacy

As construction materials group AfriSam celebrates a legacy of 90 years, the group plans to continue innovating, reduce its carbon emissions and improve sustainability, boost skills, and drive... 

Condra subsidiary clinches six-crane order from steel distributor

Crane manufacturer BB Cranes is preparing to manufacture six overhead cranes for steel distributor D&E Group for installation in new warehouses in Cape Town and George. The warehouses are being... 

Gauteng Treasury eyes public financial management improvement

With less money to go around, Gauteng’s provincial government faces a balancing act in ensuring the right projects to bring about improved services are implemented. This was one of the messages... 

Altron expects double-digit earnings rise in H1, brings Document Solutions back into group

JSE-listed Altron on Wednesday said that it expects its group headline earnings per share (HEPS) and group earnings per share (EPS) to increase by at least 20% for the six months ended August 31.... 

Tsebo Facilities Solutions at the forefront of strategic water management in South Africa

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to South Africa’s water challenges and it will take multifaceted approach to mitigate the strain on the country’s complex water sector. South Africa's water... 

New raw water use tariffs proposed for Vaal-Orange catchment

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in collaboration with the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency, has proposed new raw water abstraction tariff/charges for the new financial year of... 

Steady integration of AI into business operations ongoing in South Africa

As artificial intelligence in its various forms becomes increasingly integrated into business operations in many sectors across South Africa, there is a need for companies not already embracing the... 

New Minister commits to continuing water-sector reforms initiated by predecessor

Newly appointed Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has affirmed that the various reforms and improvements initiated by her predecessor Senzo Mchunu, who is now Police Minister, will be... 

Huawei to train additional 150 000 people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2027

Information and communication technology (ICT) group Huawei aims to train another 150 000 people in sub-Saharan Africa in ICT skills over the next three years. This followed the company’s training... 

Rand Water prepares for final phase of maintenance

Rand Water is set to embark on the final phase of its extensive five-week maintenance project across Gauteng, with the water utility warning that it may take up to two weeks to fully recover after... 

Vodacom delivers first quarter revenue growth, with Egypt its star performer

JSE-listed Vodacom on Wednesday reported that its group revenue expanded 1.5% to R36.2-billion, impacted by foreign exchange rate headwinds, but boosted by its operations in Egypt, during the three...