Inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting is ‘call to action’ for 750 delegates

Ahead of the South African government and the International Trade Centre hosting the first-ever Global Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Ministerial Meeting in July, Small Business... 

South Africa’s agriculture sector geared to respond to global risks

South Africa’s agriculture sector is no novice when it comes to global risk mitigation and adapting export procedures according to market standards, Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa... 

Tiger Brands declares higher interim and special dividend after notable cash growth

JSE-listed fast-moving consumer goods producer Tiger Brands has declared a 19% higher interim dividend of R4.15 apiece for the six months ended March 31. It also declared an additional special... 

South Africa needs more junior miners, Junior Indaba speakers say

With South Africa’s share of global exploration expenditure in mining having dropped below 1% in recent years, the longevity of this legacy industry in the country depends on encouraging more... 

Volkswagen Group Africa starts commissioning equipment for third model production

Automaker Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has entered the commissioning phase for production of a third model, called Tera, at its Kariega plant, in the Eastern Cape. The company advises that... 

Bidcorp may surpass another headline earnings record despite tough market conditions

In a market update on its global trading environment in the year-to-date, JSE-listed foodservice group Bidcorp reports a trading profit growth of 10% year-on-year so far, supported by an almost... 

Treasury invites bids for RSA Retail Bonds structured debt adviser

National Treasury has issued a new tender for a structured debt adviser to strengthen and modernise the RSA Retail Bonds programme, inviting qualified and experienced service providers to submit... 

Harmony makes R18bn bid for another Australian copper asset

JSE-listed Harmony Gold Mining Company has entered into a binding agreement to acquire 100% ownership of MAC Copper for a total equity value of $1.03-billion, or $12.15 apiece. Harmony announced on... 

Heraeus sees sustained platinum demand in China

Refining services provider Heraeus Precious Metals finds in its latest appraisal publication that China’s platinum jewellery and investment demand is still at the forefront of market fundamentals.... 

G20 fora should discuss closing household food insecurity gap – FNB

Despite South Africa being food secure on a national level and the country being the largest agricultural exporter on the continent, access to food is variable and unequal from a household point of... 

Mavuso says third Budget’s expenditure reviews, grant reform bodes well

While it did take three months and three revisions for South Africa’s national Budget to be passed, Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso deems it positive that this budget has the... 

Transnet ends long-drawn Sasol Oil dispute through R4.3bn settlement

Petrochemicals giant Sasol’s Oil division has confirmed it has reached an agreement with State-owned freight utility Transnet, which will make a net payment to Sasol Oil of R4.3-billion before June... 

Kumba chairs Northern Cape Mine Managers Association this year

Iron-ore mining company Kumba Iron Ore will chair and host the Northern Cape Mine Managers’ Association (NCMMA) for the next year. The chairpersonship allows Kumba to lead the association’s... 

Transnet tasks independent auctioneers to sell its residential properties

State-owned freight utility Transnet will sell its residential properties through an auction process using independent auctioneers in the coming weeks. This follows the utility garnering approval... 

Quantum reports solid interim volume, profit recoveries

After experiencing improved trade conditions, JSE-listed poultry producer Quantum Foods reported an operating profit increase of 234% year-on-year to R205-million for the six months ended March 31.... 

Nampak grows interim profitability, reduces debt by R1.8bn

JSE-listed packaging producer Nampak has reported an 11% year-on-year increase in revenue to R5.7-billion for the six months ended March 31, owing to volume growth and price management amid a... 

Local, German expertise help fine-tune offerings

After nearly 40 years of investment in South African operations, German motor and gear unit manufacturer SEW-EURODRIVE continues to expand its reach throughout South Africa and the rest of the... 

Consultant proffers organised council for logistics in South Africa

After two years of reforms driven through the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC), Integrated Supply Chains executive consultant Ian Bird and various other stakeholders have advocated for a... 

Minerals Council says fiscus will require full potential of mining sector to be unlocked

Following government’s tabling of the third iteration of the 2025 National Budget on May 21, the Minerals Council South Africa says it once again shows that, in the absence of sustained higher... 

Local chicken fast-food startup to benefit from Grindstone, MIC funding and support

Structured entrepreneurship development programme Grindstone Ventures has announced black female-owned grilled chicken business Chicken Bar as the first startup to benefit from a funding programme... 

dtic seeks applicants for first-time exporter incubation programme

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has launched a Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme to equip young entrepreneurs with exporting skills, as well as the resources and... 

Cesa, ISA discuss infrastructure development imperatives

With Gauteng accounting for 60% of South Africa’s national trade, 40% of foreign direct investment, 50% of small- and medium-sized enterprises and 34% of the country’s GDP, it is imperative that... 

Proposed competition exemptions to allow sugar stakeholders to negotiate

Industry body SA Canegrowers has welcomed a proposed exemption by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) that would support employment and growth in the sugar industry.  Under... 

Dept of Small Business Development to host SME Ministerial gathering in July

The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) is collaborating with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to host the first-ever Global Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Ministerial... 

Henkel, Sasol partnership delivers lower-carbon adhesives

Multinational adhesive, sealant and functional coatings manufacturer Henkel and petrochemicals company Sasol have formed a strategic partnership focused on reducing the environmental impact of... 

AMIE urges regionalisation approach to curb only bird-flu-affected Brazilian chicken

The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) has called for a considered and collaborative approach from the South African government following the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza... 

Astral cites strained poultry margins, high input costs as it reports lower interim profit

JSE-listed poultry producer Astral Foods has reported a 51% decrease in its profit before interest and tax to R271-million for the six months ended March 31, owing to margin pressure in its Poultry... 

Famous Brands achieves higher full-year dividend despite trying market

Branded food services franchisor Famous Brands has achieved a 14.2% increase in its total dividend to R3.45 for the financial year ended February 28. This compares with a dividend of R3.02... 

Standard Bank agriculture expert says now is the time for tangible AfCFTA progress

The increasing trade turmoil globally has emphasised the need and urgency to capture the intra-Africa trade opportunity that is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Standard Bank... 

BMI expects iron-ore price to decline steadily over the next decade

Research agency BMI maintains that the iron-ore price will average $100/t this year, with expected subdued demand and weighed down prices as a result. Although iron-ore will remain supported by... 

AMSA, IDC to amend deferral date under March facility agreement

Primary steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has entered into a letter of amendment with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to refer to the correct deferral period for the... 

Bargaining council zooms in on streamlining, cooperation in industry

As South Africa intensifies its focus on infrastructure development to stimulate economic growth, the need for a robust and well-regulated civil engineering sector has never been more urgent, says... 

Tiger Brands sells LAF canned fruit business to consortium, including community trust

JSE-listed fastmoving consumer goods producer Tiger Brands has entered into a sale agreement for the disposal of its deciduous fruit business Langeberg & Ashton Foods (LAF). The acquiring party... 

Red Rocket starts operations at two 144 MW wind farms

Independent power producer Red Rocket has achieved commercial operation of the Rietkloof Wind Farm, on the border of the Western and Northern Cape provinces. Red Rocket was awarded two preferred... 

Eastplats records wider attributable loss as it develops underground operations

TSX-listed Eastern Platinum (Eastplats) has reported a 5.7% decrease in revenue to $14.8-million in the first quarter of the year, compared with revenue of $15.7-million having been reported in the... 

Pensana draws down first equity tranche funding from Angolan fund for Longonjo construction

After securing full financing of the Longonjo rare earths project, in Angola, London-listed Pensana has agreed the terms and timing for the deployment of the first $25-million equity tranche from... 

Equites turns investment focus to South African portfolio, expects further distribution growth

JSE-listed logistics real estate investment trust Equites Property Fund has reported a distribution per share (DPS) of 133.92c – at the upper end of guidance – for the financial year ended February... 

Ivanhoe upgrades mineral resource estimate for the Makoko District next to Kamoa-Kakula

TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has published an independently verified updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Makoko District, which is within Ivanhoe’s Western Forelands Exploration project, in... 

TIPS launches Just Transition Labour Centre to research, voice the needs of the working class

Independent, nonprofit economic research institution Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) has launched a Just Transition Labour Centre to help develop the technical expertise required as a... 

Creecy confirms passenger rail RFI imminent

As rail reforms continue to take shape in South Africa, particularly with Transnet having published a Network Statement paving the way for private operators in December last year, Transport...