SADC needs to promote intra-bloc trade and South Africa should lead – OECD

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in its July 2017 survey of the South African economy, has urged South Africa to promote further economic integration within the... 

SADC urged to liberalise services and improve business environments

In addition to making intraregional trade in goods easier, the member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) should facilitate intra-bloc trade in services and improve their... 

South Africa’s radioisotopes company shines globally

South African nuclear company NTP Radioisotopes (NTP), a subsidiary of the State-owned South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (better known as Necsa), has increased its production of, and its... 

South Africa consolidates its radio astronomy activities into new observatory

South Africa is consolidating its radio astronomy facilities into a single institution, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). This was revealed on Friday when Science and... 

Comair reports its diversification strategy is working

South African airline group Comair Limited’s strategy of countering the weak local air passenger market by diversifying its business is proving successful, reports company CEO Erik Venter. “It’s... 

Rougher waters in the Indian Ocean while SA behaves like the ostrich

To holidaymakers the Indian Ocean usually appears a balmy body of sea. But, over the horizon, out of sight, great political forces are moving across the ocean and its subsidiary seas and gulfs,... 

One-third of Angola now surveyed, thanks to Chinese assistance

Angola’s ambassador to China, João Garcia Bires, has highlighted the role China is playing in supporting geological mapping in the African country. He told the Quarterly Bulletin of the Macau Forum... 

Casspir mine-protected vehicle continues to enjoy market success

South African State-owned defence industrial group Denel announced early this month that 21 of its Casspir NG2000 mine protected vehicles were ready for handing over to an African customer,... 

Mercury probe passes key tests on way to 2018 launch

The joint European Space Agency (ESA) and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) modular space probe BepiColombo has passed its final test in its launch and transit flight “stack”... 

May unveils British initiatives aimed at reducing Africa’s reliance on aid

British Prime Minister Theresa May used the recent G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, to announce a series of new British initiatives intended to reduce the reliance of African countries on aid and... 

Chinese group increases stake in Moz graphite project

Chinese company Shandong Tianye Mining has invested a further $1.23-million into Australian junior Triton Minerals, buying shares (in a placement by Triton) at a price of $0.048 per share,... 

UK reassures SACU about future trade relations

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) has welcomed the UK’s intention of preventing disruption of trade relations with other countries as it leaves the European Union (EU). This was affirmed in... 

Airbus DS test flies its new UAV in South Africa

South Africa’s Overberg Test Range was the site of the first flight of the Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) Sagitta jet-powered unmanned air vehicle (UAV) demonstrator, the European company... 

SAA will publish outcomes of its internal report into its losses – board

The board of directors of State-owned national flag carrier South African Airways (SAA) issued an assurance on Monday that “it does not condone nor will it cover up any acts of impropriety at SAA”.... 

South Africa’s defence industry faces serious challenges but also sees future opportunities

South Africa’s defence and aerospace industry forms a major part of the country’s high-technology manufacturing and services sector. Moreover, the high-level skills it has developed and is... 

South Africa’s defence industry faces serious challenges but also sees future opportunities

South Africa’s defence and aerospace industry forms a major part of the country’s high-technology manufacturing and services sector. Moreover, the high-level skills it has developed and is... 

Alrosa reaffirms investments in projects in Angola, at home

Russian diamond miner Alrosa has reaffirmed its confidence in the future of diamond mining in Angola. “We see a lot of potential in our infrastructure projects, including those in Angola,” stated... 

Local airline group Comair reports its diversification strategy is working

South African airline group Comair Limited’s strategy of countering the weak local air passenger market by diversifying its business is proving successful, company CEO Erik Venter told Engineering... 

Cyberthreats increasingly worry global aviation industry

The global aviation industry is increasingly focusing on cybersecurity. “Cybersecurity … has become a major concern,” highlighted International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regional VP: Africa... 

International nuclear regulatory body selects South African for key post

South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) CEO Dr Bismark Tyobeka has been appointed Chairperson of the Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the... 

Britain to keep preferential access for poor countries, post-Brexit

The British Government has publicly committed itself to maintaining duty-free access to British markets for the world’s least-developed countries (LDCs, as defined by the United Nations) following... 

Joint venture reopens graphite mine in Mozambique

The Ancuabe graphite mine in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province was re-opened on June 28, following 18 years of inactivity. This was the result of a private sector investment of €12-million in the... 

Casspir mine protected vehicle continues to enjoy market success

South African State-owned defence industrial group Denel announced on Wednesday that 21 of its Casspir NG2000 mine protected vehicles were ready for handing over to an African customer, completing... 

Brics bloc agree remote sensing space constellation project

The five Brics countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – agreed at a meeting in Haikou, China, on Monday, to create a Brics Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation. This will be... 

Keep the dragon of inflation on its chain

One of my most vivid memories is the time, years ago during the period of hyperinflation in Brazil, when my late wife (who was Brazilian) and I were on holiday in that country, and it came time to... 

Airbus unveils proposed new version of A380 SuperJumbo

Major global plane maker Airbus on Monday unveiled a proposed refined version of its flagship product, the A380 SuperJumbo airliner. This proposal is designated the A380plus, and is intended to... 

Strong South African air traffic growth forecast

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has forecast that the number of air passenger journeys to, from and within South Africa will more than double from the 23.6-million last year to... 

Moz benefiting from mining-sector exports, coal now dominant mineral

Montepuez Ruby Mining (Montepuez) has announced that it achieved revenues of $54.8-million from its latest ruby auction, in Singapore. Montepuez mines rubies and corundum in the Montepuez district... 

Nuclear energy continuing to grow worldwide

Last year saw the largest annual increase in nuclear energy capacity, worldwide, in more than 25 years, the World Nuclear Association (WNA) reported on Tuesday. The new capacity that came on line... 

Global atomic agency selects South African for key regulatory post

South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) CEO Dr Bismark Tyobeka has been appointed chairperson of the Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the... 

Global aviation industry increasing focus on cyber threats

The global aviation industry is increasingly focusing on cybersecurity. “Cybersecurity … has become a  major concern,” highlighted International Air Transport Association (Iata) regional VP: Africa... 

Local defence sector seeks strategic support from government

Pre-Cabinet level discussions are under way within the Government about transferring State-owned defence industrial group Denel from the aegis of the Department of Public Works to that of the... 

New Moz coal railway line takes step forward

In a further step towards easing transport bottlenecks for coal mining companies operating in Mozambique’s inland Tete province, a Sino-Portuguese consortium has signed a contract with local... 

Iata forecasts strong growth in South African air traffic and cites its role in the economy

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has forecast that the number of air passenger journeys to, from and within South Africa will more than double from the 23.6-million last year to... 

Proposed new version of A380 SuperJumbo unveiled

Major global plane maker Airbus on Monday unveiled a proposed refined version of its flagship product, the A380 SuperJumbo airliner. This proposal is designated the A380plus, and is intended to... 

Brazilian agency providing remote sensing training for African countries

Brazil’s Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE – National Institute for Space Research) has been providing training for Earth observation (EO) specialists from African and other countries... 

Local airline announces new routes after public survey

South African low cost carrier FlySafair announced at the beginning of the month that it was launching new routes on its network. These will be between Durban and East London and Durban and Port... 

New era in large satellite propulsion marked by recent launch

The world’s first high-power satellite employing an all-electrical propulsion system, Eutelsat 172B, has been successfully launched from Kourou in French Guiana, manufacturer Airbus Defence and... 

Indian miner slow to respond to Mozambique court order

Radio Mozambique has reported that Indian company Jindal Africa had failed to comply with a court order ordering it to stop coal stockpiling activities at its Chirodzi mine in the Moatize district... 

Global business aviation group offering drone services in Africa

Worldwide business aviation company ExecuJet announced on Tuesday that it has added unmanned air vehicle (UAV) services to its activities at its African bases (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Lagos)....