East London port gets two new tugs, TNPA wraps up fleet renewal programme

The Port of East London has taken ownership of two new tugboats, marking the end of the Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA’s) R1-billion marine fleet renewal programme, aimed at boosting... 

Sanral awards R1.4bn in contracts in the Eastern Cape; another R3.8bn to follow

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has awarded 12 road infrastructure contracts to the value of R1.4-billion in the Eastern Cape since the start of the 2024/25 financial year,... 

Demand for used cars outpacing new cars; Asian newcomers big new-car winners

The prolonged economic downturn experienced across multiple sectors in South Africa has resulted in markedly depressed sales in the new-car segment over the past 12 months, says finance group... 

City Logistics tests the electric Canter; DTSA to roll out leasing once trials wrap up

City Logistics says it has been “pleasantly surprised” by the load-carrying performance of its trial electric Fuso Canter (eCanter) small truck. Earlier this year, Daimler Truck Southern Africa... 

Macpherson signs two declarations of intent with Chinese groups

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson concluded his visit to China this week by signing two declarations of intent with the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), as... 

UK govt financier pledges $35m towards construction of DRC deep-water container port

British International Investment (BII) says it has committed up to $35-million for the construction of the initial phase of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) first deepwater container... 

Challenging trade environment dents Grindrod’s profit

Grindrod encountered a “very challenging environment” in the first six months of the year, says CEO Xolani Mbambo. “It’s been difficult.” 

Sanral announces start of new R2.2bn phase of the N2 Wild Coast Road project

South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) CEO Reginald Demana has announced the start of Package 4 of the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project in the Eastern Cape. The R2.2-billion phase... 

Ogihara SA breaks ground on new R1.2bn auto body-part plant in Durban

CFAO South Africa (SA) subsidiary Toyota Tsusho Africa and Ogihara Thailand have started construction of a new R1.2-billion plant that will produce vehicle body parts for Toyota South Africa Motors... 

Cape Town Mayco okays 7 ha land release for mixed-use development; must include affordable housing

Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee has greenlit the release of 7 ha of land for a mixed-use development in Rondebosch East, roughly 10 km from the city centre. The committee will now seek council... 

BMW SA ends production of third-generation X3, gears up for new model in October

BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) has halted production of the third-generation X3 at its Rosslyn plant, in Pretoria, and will now gear up for production of the new-generation model. The last vehicle... 

PRASA welcomes 15-year sentence handed down to former engineering head

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says it welcomes the 15-year prison sentence handed down this week to Daniel Mthimkhulu, the agency’s former head of engineering. Mthimkhulu,... 

August new-vehicle sales drop by 4.9%, exports down 34.3%

August’s negative new-vehicle sales numbers dashed any hope of a sustained upward trend in the market following July’s 1.5% increase. Total new-vehicle sales in August dropped by 4.9%, to 43 558... 

Diversification strategy saves the day for Motus as SA economy bites

Motus’s Import and Distribution business took a significant bite out of the automotive group’s profit in the financial year ended June 30, says CEO Osman Arbee. “Minus the importers we had a great... 

NDB approves $1bn loan to SA; Godongwana urges speedy disbursement

The board of directors of the New Development Bank (NDB) has approved a loan of up to $1-billion for the development of water and sanitation infrastructure in South Africa under government’s... 

R50-billion in tenders out to market, another R1.8bn to follow – Sanral

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) says it is currently evaluating 96 tenders worth R35-billion, while 86 contracts worth R15-billion have already been awarded since the start... 

NDB signs R5bn loan agreement with Transnet

The New Development Bank (NDB) on Friday signed a R5-billion loan agreement with State-owned freight transport and logistics group Transnet. The agreement was signed during the NDB’s ninth yearly... 

Developed-country debt draining international market liquidity – NDB president

Enacting the just transition in emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs) requires “a huge amount of resources and long-term financing”, says New Development Bank (NDB) president Dilma... 

Akademia unveils R3.2bn plan for private higher education campus

Privately owned Afrikaans, Christian higher education institution Akademia has announced the development of a R3.2-billion campus in Pretoria East. The campus will be developed by real estate... 

PRASA terminates Matthews’ contract, sticks with Emeran as CEO

The board of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has terminated Zolani Matthews’ employment with immediate effect. PRASA fired Matthews as CEO in 2021 for failing to disclose that he... 

Golden Arrow, Eskom in electric bus deal

Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) and power utility Eskom have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) which sets out the terms for ongoing engagement related to GABS’ planned introduction of... 

WesBank introduces residential solar finance of up to R500 000

WesBank has added residential solar finance to its portfolio, extending its product mix beyond vehicle and leisure finance products. The new addition gives personal clients in South Africa access... 

MBSA appoints new co-CEO as Raine departs for Germany

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has announced that Mark Raine will step down from his role as co-CEO and Mercedes-Benz Cars executive director on August 31. Raine will be taking up the... 

Expansion of Infrastructure SA central to DPWI’s strategy; Telkom Towers deal to be probed

The expansion and capacitation of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) is central to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s (DPWI’s) strategy for increased infrastructure investment, says... 

SPS commissions R135m solar project at Aqunion abalone farm

Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) has started to test and commission a R135-million solar PV and battery solution project for abalone farmer Aqunion, a subsidiary of the Sea Harvest Group.... 

Daimler Truck Southern Africa assembles 800 000th unit

Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) this month celebrated the assembly and handover of the 800 000th completely knocked-down (CKD) unit from its source plant in Woerth, Germany, at its East London... 

Sasol Solar Challenge set for September 13 start

Now in its sixteenth year, the Sasol Solar Challenge is set to start on September 13 in Secunda, in Mpumalanga, and wrap up at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on September 20. The biennial race,... 

Cape Town secures additional R2.8bn in infrastructure finance

The City of Cape Town has secured R2.8-billion in infrastructure funding from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Cape Town aims to spend R39.5-billion on infrastructure from July this... 

Challenging trade environment dents Grindrod’s profit

Grindrod encountered a “very challenging environment” in the first six months of the year, says CEO Xolani Mbambo. “It’s been difficult.” 

N3 freeway truck chargers MoU signed

Zero Carbon Logistics (Zero CL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer Sany to be the technology provider for its proposed off-grid electric truck... 

New-vehicle sales finally tick upwards

Total new-vehicle sales in July inched up by 1.5%, to 44 229 units, compared with the same month last year, driven by an improvement in the passenger-car market. July was only the second month,... 

Electric SUV under R400 000 launched

Pretoria-based importer and distributor of battery electric vehicles (EVs) Enviro Automotive has launched the Dayun Yuehu S5 mini sports-utility vehicle (SUV) in South Africa. The 3.6 m S5 is... 

Golden Arrow to acquire 120 electric buses from BYD

Cape Town’s Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) has signed a deal to acquire 120 electric buses from Chinese automotive powerhouse BYD, following four years of testing. Delivery of the 65-seater units... 

Ignis Fire Testing opens its new, expanded fire-testing facility in Cape Town

Ignis Fire Testing has unveiled its new fire-testing workshop and laboratory in Blackheath, Cape Town. Owner Dirk Streicher says the new building, at 1 200 m2, and with an 18-m-high roof, is more... 

Ogihara SA breaks ground on new R1.2bn auto body-part plant in Durban

CFAO South Africa (SA) subsidiary Toyota Tsusho Africa, and Ogihara Thailand, have started construction of a new R1.2-billion plant that will produce vehicle body parts for Toyota South Africa... 

Six dealerships in hot water with the consumer commission

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has referred six car dealerships to the National Consumer Tribunal (tribunal) for adjudication. The NCC received complaints from consumers alleging that these... 

British International Investment, DP World to build deepwater container port in the DRC

British International Investment (BII) says it has committed up to $35-million for the construction of the initial phase of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) first deepwater container... 

Cape Town launches live tracking of water, sanitation snags

Cape Town has unveiled a new pump station control room, which digitally tracks the live performance of water and sanitation infrastructure.                     The control room is already helping... 

Mercedes-Benz Vans launches the electric Sprinter in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa (MBVSA) has launched the fully electric Sprinter (eSprinter) panel van in the local market. The eSprinter is available in standard- and long-wheel base, with pricing... 

Sanral announces start of new R2.2bn phase on the N2 Wild Coast Road project

South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) CEO Reginald Demana has announced the start of Package 4 of the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project in the Eastern Cape. The R2.2-billion phase...