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The Barbarians have revealed three Test centurions with a combined tally of 352 caps as the first players for their squad to take on the Springboks in Cape Town next month. Sam Cane, the All Blacks’ 2023 Rugby World Cup captain, will be joined by Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray when the BaaBaas and …
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is in its final stages of rehabilitating 2km of sewer pipes along Epping Avenue in Elsies River. This is part of the proactive pipe replacement programme, which will see up to 100km of sewer pipes replaced or rehabilitated across the city. As part of the Mayoral Priority Programme (MPP), …
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says City policing operations are removing over 400 illegal guns from the streets every year, but a broken criminal justice system secures convictions in just 5% of these cases. The South African Police Service (SAPS) and prosecutors have secured just 81 convictions so far from the 1 670 guns seized …
The Community, Arts & Culture Development Department has assisted 170 ECDs in its drive to improve safety and compliance in the ECD sector. It’s also trained over 800 ECD staffers in disaster risk and mental health matters this year. The Community, Arts & Culture Development (CACD) Department promotes access to Early Childhood Development, through support …
Cape Town City’s Energy Directorate has rolled out its light-emitting diode (LED) streetlight upgrade project in Avonwood, Elsies River as part of the City’s broader city-wide initiative to replace older streetlights with modern, energy efficient infrastructure. More than 75 older streetlights were upgraded with power saving LED lamps in the area. The City’s Mayoral Committee …
The Disciplinary process related to Damian Willemse Red Card in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 18 game against Cardiff Rugby on Friday, May 16 has resulted in a three game suspension. After an act of foul play by DHL Stormers player No 15 (Damian Willemse), referee Gianluca Gnecchi showed the Player a Red Card …
In a Facebook post the Royal Cape Yacht Club confirmed a tragic incident that occurred between the evening of 20 May and the early hours of 21 May 2025. An elderly couple, both dual citizens and long-standing members of the Club, were found deceased in the waters adjacent to the RCYC marina. At approximately 07h30 …
The DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls will kick off the 2025/26 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season at home against Leinster and Ospreys, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Emirates Lions start their campaigns in Glasgow and Cardiff when the new season commences in the final weekend of September. The full Vodacom URC fixture list for the …
The Western Cape Government (WCG) cautiously welcomes the tabling of the Budget by Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana and in particular the limited additional funding allocated to provinces for education and health services. We acknowledge the difficult fiscal environment in which this budget has been drafted. However, provincial government budgets remain under intense pressure, and …
The full Vodacom URC fixture list for the 2025/26 season has been officially released — marking the earliest-ever publication of league fixtures in competition history. A minimum of 35 matches will take place on South African Soil – scroll down for fixtures. With the campaign set to kick off on September 26, this release arrives …
The 2025 Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa Awards will honour three exceptional individuals whose leadership, vision, and integrity have profoundly shaped the hospitality industry in Africa and beyond. David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, will be recognised with the FHS Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Award; William E. Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor Hotels, will receive the FHS Leadership Award and Hala Matar Choufany, President of HVS Middle East, Africa & South Asia, will be presented with the FHS Excellence Award.
The awards were nominated by the FHS Africa Advisory Board, a group of senior industry leaders who collectively represent decades of insight and influence across the global hospitality ecosystem. Their selections reflect not only individual excellence, but also the values that FHS Africa seeks to champion: ethical leadership, inclusive development, and long-term impact.
William E. Heinecke, one of Asia's most influential entrepreneurs, was honoured with the FHS Leadership Award in recognition of a nearly six-decade-long career that began with a bold idea and just US$1,200. At the age of 17, Heinecke registered his first company under the name ‘Minor'- a nod to being underage at the time - and went on to create Minor Hotels, a diversified hospitality group that today operates more than 530 hotels across 56 countries under brands including Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Elewana, and Tivoli. His acquisition of NH Hotel Group in 2018 marked a turning point for global expansion and established Minor as a powerhouse in the international hospitality scene. A vocal advocate for sustainability and social impact, Heinecke also founded the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, the Heinecke Foundation for education, and the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation. His accolades include HOTELS Magazine's Corporate Hotelier of the World and Entrepreneur of the Year at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards. Now Chairman of the Board of Minor International, Heinecke continues to guide the group's long-term strategy and philanthropic mission.
David Green's recognition reflects more than a decade of transformative leadership at the helm of Cape Town's iconic V&A Waterfront. Since his appointment in 2009, Green has guided the historic precinct through a R8 billion reinvention, turning it into one of Africa's most successful mixed-use destinations. Under his stewardship, the Waterfront has become a blueprint for sustainable urban development - supporting nearly 80,000 jobs, empowering local entrepreneurs, and embedding environmental and social responsibility at the core of every initiative. From the launch of the Zeitz MOCAA Museum and Makers Landing to the expansion of the hotel and hospitality portfolio now comprising 14 hotels and over 1,800 rooms, Green's legacy lies in his deep commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and purpose-driven development. “Everything we do is viewed through the lenses of job creation, inclusivity, and sustainability,” Green reflected.
“It's about ensuring that our work aligns with the values of our people, our community, and our environment.”
Hala Matar Choufany, recipient of the FHS Excellence Award, has set new benchmarks in hospitality advisory through her role as President of HVS Middle East, Africa & South Asia. The first woman to hold this position, she has led over 5,000 advisory engagements that have shaped hotel investments, asset strategies, and valuations across key markets. Her leadership is grounded in transparency, ethical decision-making, and long-term value creation - principles she champions not just in boardrooms, but also in classrooms and industry forums worldwide. A respected voice in global hospitality discourse, Choufany is committed to nurturing talent, supporting sustainable development in emerging markets, and driving responsible investment practices across Africa and beyond. “True leadership is not about titles or accolades,” she said. “It's defined by trust, integrity, and the impact created through knowledge-sharing and collaboration.”
All three recipients will be featured in exclusive one-to-one interviews live on the FHS Africa stage, offering delegates a rare and intimate opportunity to hear their personal stories, leadership lessons and career highlights first-hand. These are not-to-be-missed sessions that will anchor the thought leadership agenda of FHS Africa 2025.
Commenting on the announcement, Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of The Bench, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be recognising William, Hala, and David at FHS Africa this year. Each of them represents the very best of our industry - visionary leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to positive change. Their stories are a testament to what is possible when passion meets purpose. FHS Africa continues to be the premier hospitality investment platform on the continent, and honouring these individuals reflects the exceptional calibre of conversation and connection that defines this event.”
FHS Africa 2025 continues its mission to elevate the continent's hospitality potential by spotlighting the people and ideas driving sustainable growth. Through these awards, the Summit honours those who not only lead with distinction but also shape the future of hospitality across Africa and around the world.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Bench.
For further information and high-resolution images, please contact:
David Tarsh
+44 (0) 20 7602 5262
+44 (0) 7770 816 070
Email: David@Tarsh.com.
About FHS Africa:
For over a decade, the Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa – formerly the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum) has been the launchpad for hospitality investment in Africa, driving growth, connecting visionaries, and transforming the continent's tourism and hospitality landscape. As a beacon of opportunity, FHS Africa brings together global investors, developers, operators, and industry leaders committed to turning potential into reality.
Strategic Partners: Accor, BWH Hotels, Hilton, Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group
Headline Sponsors: ACT, CHIC, Hansgrohe, TUI Hotels & Resorts
Sponsors: Aleph Hospitality, CityBlue Hotels, EQUATE, Knight Frank, JLL, St Helena Government, STR, TIME Hotels, TV5 Monde, Valor Hospitality Partners
Event Ambassadors: Develop Hotels Inc, Hotel Partners Africa, Voltere by Egis, W Hospitality Group
Official Carriers: Discover Airlines, Kenya Airways
Supported By: South Africa Tourism
About The Bench:
The Bench has a legacy of delivering world-leading investment forums and conferences in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The key principle behind these events has remained "dealmaking'. Transforming the way businesses connect, Bench has developed a reputation for creating innovative and high-impact meetings for the industry.
For over two decades, government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel & tourism associations, the world's most influential hospitality brands, hotel owners & investors, renowned restaurant groups, airlines & aviation authorities, destination developers, asset managers, financial groups, and consultants have been participating in The Bench's events. These include FHS Africa, FHS World, FHS Saudi Arabia and AviaDev, where industry players showcase their brands, position themselves as thought leaders or innovators, and connect with the right individuals, opportunities and knowledge.
Learn more at www.TheBench.com
Cape Town, South Africa, 21 May 2025 – Enlit Africa 2025 officially opened this week at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), bringing together thousands of leaders from Africa’s power, water and energy sectors. This year’s theme, “Challenge the Status Quo”, calls on stakeholders to accelerate Africa’s infrastructure transformation through innovation, investment, and inclusive …
The City of Cape Town has commenced with roadworks along Sable Road between the N1 and Ratanga Road in Century City, as well as along Plattekloof Road on the northbound carriageway between the N1 and Gert Van Rooyen Drive in Plattekloof. The work will be carried out between 09:00 and 15:30, Sunday to Friday. Some …
The City’s Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate is pleased to announce that the dredging of Zeekoevlei will commence in June 2025. The project team is making great progress with the preparations for this major operation that will take about two years as part of our efforts in improving the water quality of the waterbody. Zeekoevlei …
Western Cape Government Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, and officials of the provincial Department of Infrastructure continued their roadshow on the new Provincial Roads Delivery Model to road workers, officials, councillors and mayors of the West Coast District Municipality (WCDM). This follows similar sessions in the Garden Route, Central Karoo and Cape Winelands districts. The …
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) today announced the successful completion of the modernization of global energy and chemical company Sasol's Secunda power plant in Mpumalanga. The modernization included the replacement of the existing pre-combustor system with a new DLN1+ combustor supplemented by the Fuel Gas Module (FGM) skid to increase the operational efficiency of the two installed 9E gas turbines and reduce carbon emissions.
This project serves as a model for modernizing power plants across Africa. As the continent faces increasing energy demands, initiatives like this highlight how innovative solutions can enable more efficient energy production with reduced emissions, without requiring entirely new infrastructure.
The upgrade led to significant improvements, including:
"This project exemplifies our purpose to electrify the world," said Joseph Anis (http://apo-opa.co/4k6G5fI), President and CEO of GE Vernova's Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. "Building on our advanced combustion technologies, we are helping Sasol address South Africa's energy needs more efficiently. Together, we are demonstrating how advanced technologies can deliver tangible benefits for both businesses and communities."
This project will be showcased at Enlit Africa (http://apo-opa.co/4k3OEYH), taking place from 20 – 22 May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in Cape Town, South Africa. GE Vernova's participation will include interactive activities at booth C22 in Hall 3 and speaking sessions covering a wide range of topics, including: a keynote on technology driven transformation, smart grids and the future of energy management, digitization and modernization of projects and accelerating women in energy.
GE Vernova has contributed to the development of the energy infrastructure in Africa for over a century, supporting power generation, transmission and distribution solutions, energy sector software applications, talent development, and community outreach.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GE.
Additional Link: https://apo-opa.co/4dJXJnj
Notes to editors:
© 2025 GE Vernova and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
For more information, contact:
Media Contact – GE Vernova
Winnie Gathage
Africa Communications Leader
GE Vernova
winnie.gathage@gevernova.com
Laura Aresi
Media Relations Leader, Power
GE Vernova
Laura.aresi@gevernova.com
Lesego Malete
Group Account Director
Burson Africa
lesego.malete@bursonglobal.com
About GE Vernova:
GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world's challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with more than 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company's purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova (www.GEVernova.com), GE Vernova in Middle East & Africa (https://apo-opa.co/435wb81), and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/4jY25JD). GE Vernova's Gas Power business engineers advanced, efficient natural gas-powered technologies and services, along with decarbonization solutions that aim to help electrify a lower carbon future. It is a global leader in gas turbines and gas power plant technologies and services with the industry's largest installed base.
Forward Looking Statements:
This document contains forward-looking statements – that is, statements related to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements often address GE Vernova's expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and the expected performance of its products, the impact of its services and the results they may generate or produce, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about planned and potential transactions, investments or projects and their expected results and the impacts of macroeconomic and market conditions and volatility on the Company's business operations, financial results and financial position and on the global supply chain and world economy.
Cape Town, 20 May 2025 – Opera lovers, mark your calendars – and if you’ve never experienced opera before, this might be the perfect time to start. Opera UCT and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) with the powerful voices of the CPO AfriArts Choir, is proud to present a concert performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s …
Premier Alan Winde welcomes the agreement that will save the jobs of thousands of employees at the Langeberg and Ashton Food (LAF) cannery. Tiger Brands recently informed the Premier that it has concluded a business agreement to facilitate the company’s exit from its deciduous canned fruit business, LAF. The business will be sold as a …
Dear Editor The DA has written to the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu to confirm whether his Department has been informed of the possible disappearance of Me-Kayle Timmie and Mikyle Mentoor – two convicted offenders who, according to a High Court order, should be detained at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre until at least October 2025. It …
FAME Week Africa is back and bolder than ever from 1-6 September 2025 and registration is officially open for attendees and conference delegates. https://register.fameweekafrica.com/register The Cape Town International Convention Centre will again become the epicentre of Africa’s creative economy as film, television, music, and fashion collide for a week of deal-making, networking, trendspotting, and culture-defining …
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has, today, 20 May 2025, engaged with South African and French businesses during a Roundtable Breakfast Dialogue hosted by MEDEF International in Paris.
MEDEF is France's largest business federation, representing over 750,000 companies, from SMEs to large multinationals. It plays a central role in promoting French economic diplomacy, supporting private sector development, and facilitating international investment and trade relationships.
The Business Dialogue is an important platform for businesses from both countries to expand on existing cooperation and identifying new areas of cooperation with a specific focus on trade and investment.
Addressing the Business Dialogue, the Deputy President said, "The South African Government has committed to spending more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. This funding will revitalise our roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise our ports and airports, and power our economy. Moreover, investors have an opportunity to collaborate with the South African Government by investing in infrastructure such as ports, rail, electricity, and manufacturing to improve local value-addition and boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area."
The Deputy President also touched on the European Union-SA Summit, which took place in Cape Town in March 2025, where there was an announcement of the EU investment package of around R90 billion to support investment projects in South Africa.
In addition, the Deputy President met with Mr Thierry Deau, Group CEO of Meridiam and Chairman of the Global Long-Term Infrastructure Investors Association.
Meridiam is a global investment firm specializing in public infrastructure, with assets under management exceeding €12 billion. It focuses on long-term investments in transport, energy, social infrastructure, and environmental projects, with a commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth.
During the meeting, the two discussed, among others, the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders, including infrastructure investors, policymakers, and academia, as being crucial for promoting responsible and long-term private capital deployment in public infrastructure.
In conclusion, the Deputy President indicated that he is certain that South Africa and France can achieve new heights of prosperity through strengthening their economic links and encouraging closer cooperation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
The winners of the biggest online tournaments hosted by Tangible Africa in the past five years were announced recently. A total of 1 700 participants from 209 schools competed against each other to see who would finish the Juicy Gems coding game in the fastest time. A total of 20 500 scores were submitted to Tangible …
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) was invited to brief the Standing Committee on Mobility on its service level plan and strategies to improve services and rail efficiency across all districts in the Western Cape on Friday 16 May 2025. The chairperson of the Standing Committee on Mobility, Prof Nomafrench Mbombo, issued this …
TotalEnergies is preparing to begin offshore drilling in South Africa in 2026, pending final regulatory approvals, according to Mike Sangster, the company's SVP for Africa Exploration & Production. Speaking at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris, Sangster emphasized the company's ambition to expand its multi-energy strategy on the continent, with South Africa poised to play a central role in that vision.
The announcement coincides with significant legislative developments in South Africa's oil and gas sector. In April, the government published the draft regulations for the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act, inviting public comment and signaling a renewed commitment to reform. The regulations will outline the procedures for implementing the Act – approved in November but not yet in effect – ushering in a more modern, investor-oriented framework for hydrocarbon exploration and production.
Establishing a Fit-for-Purpose Framework
For years, the lack of a clear and sector-specific legal framework has impeded South Africa's ability to attract sustained exploration activity and unlock its offshore potential. The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act aims to rectify this by establishing transparent licensing systems, defining state and Black Economic Empowerment participation and clarifying production-sharing mechanisms.
Crucially, the Act seeks to create an enabling environment that balances investor interests with national development goals. It provides detailed guidance on the application and granting of exploration and production rights, introduces more predictable fiscal terms and offers mechanisms to manage environmental and social responsibilities. By aligning South Africa's regulatory framework with international best practices, the government is positioning the country to compete more effectively for operator capital, particularly as global exploration budgets become more selective and carbon-conscious.
Igniting Interest in the Orange Basin
South Africa's offshore acreage, particularly in the Orange Basin, has been gaining momentum on the back of transformational discoveries in neighboring Namibia. Within South African waters, the Brulpadda and Luiperd finds in Block 11B/12B remain the most commercially significant to date, estimated to hold more than 600 million barrels of oil equivalent. While TotalEnergies has since exited the block, citing internal portfolio shifts, the company's re-engagement with the broader South African market suggests continued belief in the basin's long-term potential.
Last August, TotalEnergies officially became operator of offshore exploration Block 3B/4B, positioned southeast and on trend with neighboring oil discoveries, including the company's Venus discovery in Namibia. The Orange Basin represents one of the last untapped frontiers capable of delivering large-scale oil and gas volumes. With a more supportive regulatory backdrop taking shape, South Africa is well-positioned to attract the kind of deepwater investment needed to de-risk its acreage and build out its domestic gas infrastructure — a critical step toward energy security and industrial growth.
Positioning South Africa for Investment at AEW 2025
As the government works to implement the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act, African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies in Cape Town offers a high-profile platform to promote the country's renewed upstream vision. AEW is expected to convene regulators, IOCs and service companies to discuss the commercial implications of the legislative overhaul and chart a path forward for exploration and development in South Africa.
“For companies like TotalEnergies – whose multi-energy strategy includes natural gas, renewables and decarbonized operations – a stable and transparent regulatory framework is key. Sangster's statement reflects growing confidence in South Africa's policy direction, and signals to the broader investor community that the country is preparing to welcome a new wave of responsible, large-scale investment,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
