South African National Space Agency announces its new CEO

The South African National Space Agency (Sansa) announced on Thursday that its new CEO is Dr Valanathan Munsami. His appointment took effect on January 3. He has replaced Sansa’s first CEO, Dr... 

Airbus very happy with its 2016 production and delivery results

Despite 2016 being an “unusually difficult year from a production perspective”, European airliner manufacturer Airbus Commercial Aircraft met all its delivery targets for the year, company... 

South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator hosts international nuclear mission

An Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited South Africa from December 5 to December 15. The purpose of the IRRS mission was to... 

Umkhonto missile export programme now in its final stages

South African State-owned defence industrial group Denel announced at the end of last month that extensive testing of the Denel Dynamics Umkhonto (“Spear”, in English) naval surface-to-air missile,... 

The great autocrat

One of the highest points of my career as a journalist happened, back in 1994, when I interviewed then Cuban President Fidel Castro, in Pretoria. He was attending the inauguration of President... 

South African nuclear regulator effective, but health dept's radiation control lacks capacity – IAEA

South Africa's National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) is in good shape, but the oversight of radiation safety in the country, which is the responsibility of the Directorate of Radiation Control of the... 

Things beginning to look up for Brazilian miner in Mozambique

In a recent presentation to the New York Stock Exchange, Brazilian major mining group Vale reported on progress at its Mozambican operations. These comprise the Moatize coal mine and the Nacala... 

South African Nuclear Energy Corporation CEO reappointed for three more years

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) announced on Friday that its CEO, Phumzile Tshelane, has had his contract extended for another three years. The decision was taken by the... 

Space agency’s operations directorate marks two milestones

The Space Operations directorate of the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) recently achieved a new high when it successfully supported the simultaneous launch of four satellites. “Four... 

South African commercial aviation sector outperforming economy, index shows

The South African commercial aviation sector “is alive and well and outperforming most other sectors of the economy by a considerable margin” reported the Commercial Aviation Association of... 

Rosatom looks forward to result of South Africa’s nuclear debate

Russian State-owned nuclear group Rosatom has reaffirmed its respect for South Africa’s domestic policy debates and decisions. “We respect South African government processes and decisions,” states... 

Mozambique projects in sights of tax and regulatory authorities at home and abroad

Mozambique’s Tax Authority is monitoring the natural resources sector to ensure it collects the capital gains taxes due to it. This was affirmed by Tax Authority President Amélia Nakhare late last... 

Defence group Denel unveils new version of 20 mm semiautomatic weapon

South African defence company Denel PMP, part of the State-owned Denel group, highlighted on Thursday the latest version of its iNkunzi PAW semiautomatic weapon, the iNkunzi PAW A2 (iNkunzi means... 

SAA still years from break-even

National carrier South African Airways (SAA) does not expect to reach break-even point for another five years. “We remain committed to ensuring that the airline becomes financially self-reliant and... 

South African nuclear regulator to host international review mission

An Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be active in South Africa from December 5 to 15, the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR)... 

Govt appoints consultants to help decide future course for airlines

A notice (NT008-2016) on the website of National Treasury has confirmed that a joint venture between Bain and Company South Africa and Abacus Advisory has been appointed the “professional service... 

UK to stimulate nuclear research, development and innovation

The United Kingdom has launched a new nuclear innovation programme. This was recently announced in Manchester by the country’s Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy... 

Denel reports Umkhonto missile export programme now in its final stages

South African State-owned defence industrial group Denel announced on Wednesday that extensive testing of the Denel Dynamics Umkhonto (“Spear”, in English) naval surface-to-air missile, for an... 

Russian nuclear company looks forward to result of nuclear debate in South Africa

Russian State-owned nuclear group Rosatom has reaffirmed its respect for South Africa’s domestic policy debates and decisions. “We respect South African government processes and decisions,” Rosatom... 

Latest Aviation Index for South Africa shows sector outperforming rest of economy

The South African commercial aviation sector “is alive and well and outperforming most other sectors of the economy by a considerable margin” reported the Commercial Aviation Association of... 

Science council heavily involved in mining research and development

Although the new Mining Precinct (or Mining Hub) initiative has rightly attracted a lot of interest, the mining and minerals research and development (R&D) activities of the Council for Scientific... 

German drive engineering group to expand activities in South Africa

German drive engineering group SEW Eurodrive is planning to expand its assembly capacity in South Africa. The company operates 15 manufacturing plants in Germany, France, Brazil, the US and China,... 

UK Premier seeks to protect globalisation by ensuring it is fairer

British Prime Minister Theresa May has defended globalisation, while warning its downsides must be addressed to ensure continued public support for free markets and free trade around the world. She... 

Trumped by the Hunger Games

Well, you can’t say I didn’t warn you. Now that we have US President-elect Donald Trump I feel entitled to remind you that, in my previous column, when many were assuming that rival candidate... 

Science council heavily involved in mining research and development

Although the new Mining Precinct (or Mining Hub) initiative has rightly attracted a lot of interest (see “Mining Weekly” October 7), the mining and minerals research and development (R&D)... 

Consultants appointed to help government decide future course for SAA, SA Express

A notice (NT008-2016) on the website of National Treasury has confirmed that a joint venture between Bain and Company South Africa and Abacus Advisory has been appointed the “professional service... 

New South African nanosatellite to participate in international project

A South African nanosatellite will be launched into space from the International Space Station (ISS) during the first quarter of next year, as part of an international research project under the... 

CSIR reassessing funding model as grant uncertainty rises

The Chairperson of the Board of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Thokozani Majozi, has warned that the organisation is going to have to re-look at its funding model. He... 

Science council aims to educate public about its role and that of science

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) acting CEO Dr Molefi Motuku has assured that his organisation will continue to meet the challenges facing it and the country. He was speaking... 

Necsa responsible for new research reactor and fuel cycle

The South African government has decided that the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) will be the owner/operator of the planned new Multi-Purpose Reactor (MPR) and the proposed future... 

Single mine continues to dominate Angolan diamond production

Angolan mining group Sociedade Mineira de Catoca (Catoca) currently produces 75% of the country’s diamonds, highlighted company Chief Financial Officer António Galiano Celestino earlier this month.... 

Test flying in South Africa at a critical crossroads

It is generally, if not universally, accepted that the height of flying skill is embodied in the test pilot and the apex of air engineering ability in the flight test engineer. Despite huge... 

South African company participating in global Nasa robotics competition

South African company Ryonic Robotics is currently busy developing its entry in the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (Nasa’s) Space Centennial Challenge competition. Ryonic was... 

Test flying in South Africa at a critical crossroads

It is generally, if not universally, accepted, that the height of flying skill is embodied in the test pilot and the apex of air engineering ability in the flight test engineer. Despite huge... 

Miner buys Moz forestry firm to access limestone deposit

London AIM-listed miner Premier African Minerals (Premier) completed its acquisition of a majority stake in private Mozambican company TCT Indústrias Florestais (TCT IF) at the very end of last... 

New South African nanosatellite to participate in international project

A South African nanosatellite will be launched into space from the International Space Station (ISS) during the first quarter of next year, as part of an international research project under the... 

Cabinet makes Necsa responsible for new research reactor and fuel cycle

The South African government has decided that the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) will be the owner/operator of the planned new Multi-Purpose Reactor (MPR) and the proposed future... 

CSIR's planned visitors centre to stimulate interest in science and help redevelop campus

The planned Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR's) visitors centre will serve to showcase both the organisation's past and its current activities as well as to popularise... 

CSIR needs to look to its revenues

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) chairperson Dr Thokozani Majozi, has warned that the organisation is going to have to re-look its funding model. He was giving the keynote... 

CSIR acting head reaffirms commitment to excellence

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) acting CEO Dr Molefi Motuku has assured that his organisation will continue to meet the challenges facing it and the country. He was speaking...