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This week, Western Cape Government Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers and officials of the department are travelling across the province, to present the New Provincial Road Delivery Model to district municipalities. Engagements started today in the Garden Route District Municipality with mayors, councillors, officials and road workers across the district to discuss the discontinuation of …
Dear Editor The DA calls for an urgent, independent audit of all SAPS personnel serving in high-risk and sensitive positions, particularly those stationed in courts, correctional facilities, and specialised units such as anti-gang task teams. This follows the alleged criminal conduct of a SAPS court orderly arrested in Kleinvlei – an area notorious for gang …
Dear Editor The remarks below were delivered this morning by the DA Spokesperson on Finance, Dr Mark Burke MP, in front of the High Court in Cape Town where the DA’s urgent court application to interdict the pending VAT increase will be heard. A recording of this morning’s event can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/live/7QFDB9dnT2c Some …
African mining projects are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and meet ambitious production targets set by governments across the continent. As the mining industry undergoes a digital transformation, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) will highlight the pivotal role of AI and other digital tools in optimizing exploration and production processes, with a view to unlocking new mineral reserves, reducing costs and enhancing worker safety.
Botswana Diversifies Mineral Portfolio
In Botswana, Botswana Diamonds is expanding its mineral portfolio beyond diamonds with an AI-based nationwide exploration campaign launched in August 2024. By March 2025, the company identified potential deposits of besshi, greenstone, Mississippi Valley-type lead and zinc, SEDEX and platinum group metals (PGMs). To capitalize on these discoveries, Botswana Diamonds has applied for 11 new prospecting licenses. John Teeling, Chairman of Botswana Diamonds, stated: “During the initial analysis of the big database, it became clear that the AI technology could be used to identify other unknown minerals opportunities… Our analysis so far has identified a series of targets in copper cobalt, zinc and gold.”
KoBold Advances Zambia's Critical Mineral Market
U.S.-based startup KoBold Metals is applying AI to enhance critical mineral exploration and mine development in Zambia. In January 2025, KoBold raised $537 million in new capital, bringing its total funding to $1 billion. The company is developing one of the world's largest untapped copper basins in Zambia, with plans to produce 300,000 tons annually by 2030 from its $2 billion Mingomba Project. Additionally, KoBold Metals is exploring the Dumbwa Mine and Konkola West Project, contributing to Zambia's goal of reaching 3 million tons of annual copper production by 2031.
Kilken Platinum Drives Mine Expansion
In South Africa, Kilken Platinum is utilizing AI to optimize operations at its Thabazimbi processing plant in Limpopo as part of an expansion plan to double PGM production to 83kgs per month. The project has already increased output to 40kgs in its initial phase. Dondo Mogajane, CEO of Kilken Platinum's parent company Moti Group, emphasized that AI enables real-time tracking of production metrics and ensures strict adherence to safety protocols.
Beyond these projects, Rio Tinto subsidiary Richards Bay Minerals is employing AI for ore body modeling, equipment dispatch management and blast control at its mines in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Glencore is leveraging digital technology to streamline critical mineral exploration as part of its Phase 2 expansion at the KTO copper and cobalt project. AMW 2025 will feature high-level discussions focused on AI's impact on industry growth, investment opportunities for technology providers and the broader economic benefits of digital transformation in mining.
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
On Thursday, 17 April 2025, Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, joined WCB Property Developers for the sod-turning ceremony of the Monarch Lifestyle Living affordable housing development in Bellville. Phase 1 of the Monarch development sold out in only ten days, generating R100 million in value, and already, 70% of the full development has …
Over the past few years, semigration – the trend of South Africans relocating from one province to another for lifestyle, work, or financial reasons – has reshaped the country’s property market. When remote work became the norm during and after COVID-19, many professionals and families left inland cities for coastal destinations like the Western Cape, …
It is with deep sadness and grave concern that Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, has learnt of the fatal shooting of a prominent leader in the minibus taxi industry at the Nyanga Taxi Rank on Wednesday, 16 April 2025. A Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association taxi leader, Mongi Titi, was assassinated at the Nyanga …
The four South African Vodacom United Rugby Championship franchises will all enter the home straight of the cross-hemisphere showpiece with the same mindset – victory at any cost – as the Race to the Eight takes centre stage. The announcement in the coming weeks of the various winners in the Vodacom URC Awards for 2024/25 …
On Wednesday, 16 April 2025, Western Cape Minister of infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, chaired the second meeting of the Western Cape Infrastructure Ministerial Committee (IMC). The following matters were discussed: Western Cape Infrastructure Framework 2050 Since the inaugural IMC meeting, on 1 December 2024, the Western Cape Infrastructure Framework 2050 (WCIF 2050) has been refined, and …
As the Easter weekend approaches, the Western Cape Government is urging all road users to exercise caution, remain vigilant, and take personal responsibility to help save lives on our roads. Between 31 March and 13 April, a total of 183 people were arrested for driving under the influence. This statistic highlights a deeply concerning reality …
On Tuesday, 15 April 2025, Premier Alan Winde chaired the first Premier’s Council on Skills (PCS) of 2025. The PCS looked at the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workplace and how skills development in this field must be further developed. The PCS is a consultative forum that coordinates skills development through partnerships between …
African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa's premier gathering for mining stakeholders, taking place from October 1-3 in Cape Town – will feature a high-level Ministerial Forum dedicated to advancing local mineral beneficiation across the continent.
The session – From Extraction to Transformation: African Governments Driving Beneficiation and Value Addition – will spotlight national strategies and regulatory reforms aimed at boosting midstream and downstream infrastructure, enhancing local content, supporting community development and maximizing national value capture from resource exploitation.
Across the continent, mineral-rich countries are enacting policies and investment incentives – including export restrictions on raw minerals – to spur industrialization and local processing. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the world's top cobalt producer, authorities imposed a four-month suspension on cobalt and copper exports in February 2025 to prevent market oversupply and stabilize prices. The decision came in response to a steep price drop from $82,000 per metric ton in April 2022 to just $21,550 in February 2025, aiming to resume exports once more favorable market conditions return. These proactive measures are expected to enhance the long-term sustainability of the sector and attract new investments in processing and refining infrastructure.
In Zimbabwe, a 2023 ban on raw lithium exports has attracted billions in downstream investment and created new jobs. In August 2024, Zimbabwe secured $310 million from Chinese and British investors to construct a three-million-ton-per-annum lithium processing facility at Sandawana Mine. Guinea-Conakry, which holds 23% of global bauxite reserves and is the second-largest producer worldwide, is reducing its reliance on raw exports by advancing several alumina refinery projects. Key developments include partnerships with Emirates Global Aluminium and Alteo Refinery to strengthen local industrial capacity. These strategic moves are positioning both countries as key players in the global mineral refining market, with significant potential for long-term economic growth and job creation.
Meanwhile, South Africa, the world's leading producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), is making major strides in beneficiation. Projects include the $4.5 billion KwaZulu-Natal Titanium Beneficiation Complex by Nyanza Light Metals; a titanium pigment plant at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone; a PGM treatment facility at the Steelpoortdrift Vanadium Project by Vanadium Resources Limited; and a new treatment plant at Ivanhoe Mines' Platreef PGM Nickel Project. These initiatives are expected to significantly boost South Africa's beneficiation capacity, create thousands of jobs and further cement the country's position as a global leader in mineral processing and industrialization.
The Ministerial Forum at AMW will provide a strategic platform for African leaders to showcase progress, present investment-ready opportunities and foster collaboration across the mining value chain. It will also serve to align policy priorities and attract long-term capital for the development of sustainable, value-driven mineral economies.
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
People helping do so out of goodwill and with the best intentions
A reimagined version of the popular 2016 “The Fall” play is being staged at Joburg’s The Market Theatre until 4 May
At 18h45, Friday, 12 April, NSRI Lamberts Bay were alerted by Police to a fishing vessel overdue. Family members of 2 local fishermen, age 35 and 31, had alerted Police with concerns that the fishing vessel had not returned as expected. NSRI Lamberts Bay investigated, in cooperation with Police, and although it was not clear where the 2 …
In a world where meaningful change is often sparked by small, determined actions, the story of Langa’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of collective effort. This initiative, led by Rotary District 9350 in partnership with global Rotary clubs, NGOs, and local stakeholders, has reshaped the educational landscape …
Small business urged to apply for tourism opportunities
Small businesses have been encouraged to apply for opportunities provided by the Department of Tourism.
“The Department of Tourism is dedicated to creating an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient tourism economy. We have a variety of programmes with the specific aim of promoting tourism, alleviating poverty and creating jobs,” Tourism Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu said.
Addressing a stakeholder engagement at the Fezile Dabi District Municipality in the Free State, the Deputy Minister said small businesses face challenges that threaten their survival and growth.
These include limited access to funding and financial support, skills gap in business management and digital transformation, market access and a lack of exposure to international tourists.
“As the government, our role is to enable and empower small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to overcome these barriers and it is our duty to maximise every opportunity to empower these enterprises.
“Embracing sustainable tourism by black-owned enterprises is not just about being part of a global trend, but is a necessity for resilience, competitiveness and profitability,” the Deputy Minister said on Friday.
The department’s Market Access Support Programme offers financial support to small tourism enterprises to exhibit at tourism platforms.
“I want to urge you to visit the Department of Tourism website at www.tourism.gov.za and look at this Market Access Support Incentive Programme.
“This week we are assisting 49 tourism SMMEs [small, medium, and micro enterprises] to promote their services at the World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town. We also want to encourage you to apply for our Green Tourism Incentive Programme which offers a win-win solution to tourism establishments and our greening objectives,” the Deputy Minister said.
The Green Tourism Incentive Programme is a resource efficiency programme which aims to support tourism enterprises to reduce the cost of investing in energy and water efficient solutions.
“This incentive can greatly assist a tourism establishment to reduce their electricity and water bills in the long term. The department also established a Tourism Transformation Fund and Tourism Equity Fund to support the transformation efforts in the sector.
“The Transformation Fund offers a combination of debt finance and grant funding for new and expansion tourism development projects with majority black shareholding,” she said.
For tourist guides, the department has a number of programmes including language training.
“We recently advertised for youth to apply for tourist guide training in Vredefort Dome and we are currently conducting tourist guide training in Golden Gate National Park.
“For youth in tourism, the department offers annually a bursary programme and learnership programmes, focusing on professional cooking, wine appreciation and hospitality, targeting youth with a specific interest in tourism,” said the Deputy Minister. -SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 04/13/2025 - 11:37
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On Thursday, 10 April 2025, Premier Alan Winde hosted a digicon focusing on the efforts of the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town (CoCT) to combat and prevent crime. The digicon came after the first Safety Cabinet Committee meeting of 2025. The committee brings together various provincial Cabinet ministers and other stakeholders …
Dear Editor The DA has written to the National Commissioner of Correctional Services to request urgent reform of our current parole system. An existing, but ignored, policy position paper on parole boards must be issued and must be published by the Department of Correctional Services, so that Parliament can start the process to re-engineer the …
Cape Town — The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is proud to announce the strengthening of its partnership with Stellenbosch University’s Division of Emergency Medicine following a joint presentation at the Stellenbosch University Emergency Medicine Symposium (SUEM) yesterday. The collaboration between these two respected institutions was formalised last year through a Memorandum of Understanding. At …
Security strengthened at Wynberg court following shooting
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) has ordered that security be strengthened at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, in Cape Town, following a fatal shooting inside the court building earlier this week.
A high-level delegation, led by DJCOD Director-General, Advocate Doc Mashabane, conducted an oversight visit to the court on Thursday.
The delegation also included Acting Secretary-General in the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ), Advocate Marelize Potgieter, and the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Advocate Nicolette Bell.
“The purpose of the visit was to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any security lapses had occurred. This intervention formed part of government’s response, with the objective of reviewing and strengthening security protocols at court facilities," the department said in a statement.
As part of immediate interventions, the Director-General has directed the installation of a security scanner, the tightening of access control to prosecutors' and magistrates' offices, and the enhanced vetting of court officials.
Furthermore, a report on the incident will be drawn up and submitted to DJCOD Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi and Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya.
“The department reiterates its commitment to ensuring that courts remain places for the dispensation of justice and not places where crime is committed,” the department said.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) said it views the incident in a “serious light”.
“The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, under whose delegation the Security of the Court falls, has been engaged on the enhancement of security in and around the court precinct.
“As the Head of the Judiciary in the Province, the Judge President of the Western Cape Division of the High Court wishes to convey condolences to the family of the deceased, and expresses regret and support to the Judicial Officers, officials and the public who witnessed the incident,” the OCJ said.
The incident is currently under police investigation. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 04/11/2025 - 09:35
158 views
Botmaskop Fynbos Estate says a court interdict stopping construction will be “catastrophic”
State Attorney did not communicate with residents and failed to enrol the case properly
Experts say this can be avoided if the South African government covers some of the defunded services