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South Africa, 29 November 2023 – The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, is set to host the 11th annual Mapungubwe Lecture on Wednesday, 06 December 2023. The annual lecture is the institute’s flagship event and has been happening annually since 2012. A highlight on the academic and …
Verdant Capital (www.Verdant-Cap.com) is pleased to announce a USD 2.5 million revolving credit facility for Enable Capital of South Africa. Enable Capital specialises in providing short-term funding solutions to SME subcontractors involved in the physical construction and deployment of local, regional, and national fibre network infrastructure across South Africa.
Enable Capital has built up a successful track record since inception in 2018 - it has provided financial support of more than ZAR 1.5 billion to more than 250 SMEs. In doing so, it has facilitated meaningful growth for businesses in South Africa's SME sector, where access to finance remains a key inhibitor. Enable Capital aims to be the primary funding partner on major projects that have been officially approved by fibre network owners (e.g., Vumatel and Metrofibre).
Enable Capital's funding solutions specifically help address challenges faced by SME subcontractors such as equipment hire, supply of building materials and diesel where Enable Capital deals with suppliers and service providers directly in bulk, to the benefit of the subcontractors.
Enable Capital has a proven track record helping small business in the country grown significantly, transitioning from small subcontractors to large primary contractors, creating many new jobs in the process.
The partnership with Verdant Capital will allow Enable Capital to continue to support SMEs involved with the deployment of fibre while impacting economic growth in areas and communities where it is most needed. This includes the rollout of fibre network infrastructure outside of affluent areas where there is unequal access to the internet, thereby increasing access to the internet for all.
The funding was provided through Verdant Capital's investment partnerships strategy supporting high-impact businesses and financial institutions operating in the African continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Verdant Capital.
Media enquiries:
Verdant Capital
Liezel van Greunen
T : +27 10 140 3700
E : liezel.vangreunen@verdant-cap.com
About Verdant Capital :
Verdant Capital is an investment manager and investment bank specialising in the private capital markets and operating on a pan-African basis. www.Verdant-Cap.com
The Role of Ecommerce Courier Services Ecommerce courier services in South Africa have emerged as a critical component in the digital retail domain. These services have adapted to meet the increasing and varied demands of online businesses and their customers, playing a pivotal role in the ecommerce ecosystem by enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. …
Regent Business School (RBS) proudly announces its successful participation in the recent HealthXcel Innovation Challenge, a groundbreaking event held in Durban on 21 and 22 October, followed by a session in Johannesburg on 18 and 19 November. The two-day events brought together delegates, industry experts, and thought leaders for an immersive experience aimed at driving …
South Africa’s technology landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with software development playing a pivotal role. The growth of software companies in this region not only marks a substantial shift in the economic and technological paradigms but also highlights South Africa’s burgeoning influence in the global tech arena. The Landscape of Software Development Companies …
In recent years, South Africa has been riding the wave of digital transformation, a pivotal shift that is redefining how businesses operate and interact with their customers. This transformation is not just about adopting new technologies but is a holistic change in how companies think, operate, and deliver value to their clients. The Role …
Introduction In recent years, South Africa has witnessed a significant shift towards cloud computing, marking a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey. This move is reshaping how businesses and services operate, with cloud architects and consultants playing a central role. The Role of Cloud Architects in South Africa Cloud architects in South Africa …
Introduction In the rapidly evolving world of cloud computing, becoming an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Advanced Consulting Partner represents a significant milestone for any organization. This status not only showcases technical prowess but also opens doors to a myriad of opportunities, especially in the realm of cloud-based solutions. This article delves into what it …
The management of data quality is a common struggle across companies and industries. Prioritising fraud prevention and having insight into data can have a ripple effect on the economy. Everything is hyper-personalised by tracking people’s engagements, clicks, and movements. Insights into this invaluable data can enable rapid instant information with various benefits. To explore …
Castrol, a trusted name in automotive care and maintenance, has announced its association with Auto Complete, a Retail Motor Industry accredited, automotive workshop and service centre situated in Pinetown, Durban. This significant collaboration aims to provide developmental opportunities for the local motor city, including access to training solutions, marketing, and customer experience support, as well …
Introduction In an era dominated by cloud computing, AWS Marketplace emerges as a pivotal platform, especially within the South African technological sphere. It stands not just as a tool but as a bridge, connecting businesses with the vast world of cloud-based solutions. What is AWS Marketplace? Amazon Web Services Marketplace is an innovative digital …
Forklift hire, a practical solution for businesses in South Africa that require material handling equipment on a temporary or project-specific basis, offers flexibility and cost efficiency. Hiring a forklift instead of purchasing can be a strategic choice for many businesses, particularly in a dynamic economic environment like South Africa’s. Benefits of Forklift Hire …
Cloud-based software is transforming the modern workplace, making remote and hybrid work models more feasible and efficient than ever before. The demand for cloud-based solutions has increased significantly as they offer unparalleled freedom and flexibility, connecting workers, employers, and customers worldwide. This shift towards a digital and remote work era necessitates a robust integration of …
In the dynamic world of business, managing cash flow is akin to steering a ship through ever-changing seas. A sustainable cash flow budget is not just a financial document; it’s a strategic roadmap guiding your business through fiscal uncertainties and opportunities alike. The Art of Crafting a Sustainable Cash Flow Budget 1. Conduct a Thorough …
As digital transformation continues to accelerate, it is evident that the fintech sector is not just responding to current demands, it is also anticipating the future needs of businesses and consumers alike. With the emergence of decentralised platforms to the integration of financial services into everyday consumer experiences, each year brings significant milestones in the …
EcoFlow (https://apo-opa.co/47Nemde) (www.EcoFlow.com), a leading company of eco-friendly and sustainable energy solutions, achieved remarkable success during the 2023 Black Friday sales. On Takealot (https://apo-opa.co/3QXcqIn), South Africa's leading online store, EcoFlow secured its top position in the portable power station category, and cemented its place among the top ten brands in overall sales, affirming its leadership in sustainable energy.
"EcoFlow appreciates the trust and choice of every user. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow has steadfastly pursued the vision of 'Power a new world,' creating intelligent, user-friendly, and sustainable power solutions", said by Joy Wu, Head of LAMEA & APAC at EcoFlow.
This marked the first time EcoFlow participated in Black Friday sales in South Africa, and its outstanding performance culminated in the top position in the portable power station category on Takealot.
Moreover, EcoFlow claimed the sixth spot in the overall brand rankings for gross merchandise value. Among the top 10 items sold by gross merchandise value, EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station (https://apo-opa.co/3N5IcSt) secured the third position. Notably, EcoFlow is the exclusive brand in the portable power stations and energy solutions category to achieve such recognition.
EcoFlow also delivered excellent results across various sales channels, including more than a thousand retailer stores and online stores, such as Incredible Connection, Makro, Builders, Hirsch's and EcoFlow official website, witnessing an overall sales growth of 200% compared to the previous sales period.
EcoFlow Portable Power Stations(PPS) (https://apo-opa.co/47vcg27), including the EcoFlow RIVER and EcoFlow DELTA series, have gained significant traction in the South African market due to technological innovation and superior performance.
Distinguished by its extreme portability, minimal maintenance, silent operation, and eco-friendly energy, EcoFlow PPS provides a safe and reliable household power supply solution. Additionally, its industry-leading fast-charging technology and exceptional user experience have earned the trust of over 2.5 million users across 100+ global markets.
In addressing South Africa's immediate challenges with Load Shedding, EcoFlow PPS showcased flexibility by seamlessly integrating with Solar Panels (https://apo-opa.co/3N7TaH5), Transfer Switches, and other products in the EcoFlow ecosystem. This empowers households to achieve an intelligent and reliable sustainable backup power supply in the face of an unstable main grid.
To provide efficient and dependable support to the users in South Africa, EcoFlow has established a robust after-sales service system. Locally-based hotline and email customer service guarantee swift responses within 48 hours. In case of repairs, EcoFlow is dedicated to concluding the repair process and dispatching the serviced product within 3-5 working days.
The 2023 Black Friday event featured the best selling EcoFlow DELTA 2 and RIVER 2 series portable power stations. Equipped with LFP batteries boasting a 3000-cycle lifespan and backed by a 5-year warranty, DELTA 2 and RIVER 2 series ensure a secure power experience for the next decade. As a token of gratitude, the historic price reductions of up to 47% off will extend to this December for the best buying opportunity for more users.
Looking ahead, EcoFlow remains committed to prioritizing user experience and continuous innovation for greater solutions. The company envisions incorporating clean energy into the future lives of more individuals and families.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EcoFlow.
Media Contact:
Orange Lin
EcoFlow Communications Manager, South Africa
orange.lin@ecoflow.com
About EcoFlow:
EcoFlow is a leading eco-friendly energy solutions company with the vision to power a new world. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow aims to become a reliable and trusted energy companion for individuals and families across the world, providing accessible and renewable power solutions at home, outdoors, and in mobile spaces. Today, with operational headquarters located in the USA, Germany, and Japan, EcoFlow has empowered more than 2.5 million users in over 100 markets worldwide.
Three years after the landmark Concourt ruling, very little has changed with their access to compensation
Bureau Veritas (https://group.BureauVeritas.com), a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, announces that Bureau Veritas's AgriFood Laboratory in Cape Town has successfully completed a solar power and back up energy project that enables it to operate independently of the national electricity grid of South Africa.
Bureau Veritas has taken a bold step toward undertaking a solar and back up project that allows it to sustain its business continuity for its Cape Town AgriFood Laboratory. This development not only allows the laboratory to operate at full capacity, 24 hours a day and without interruptions, but it also represents a significant stride toward the Group's objectives and ongoing commitment to environmental sustainablity through reduced Carbon Emmisions.
Joanne Barton, Managing Director, Bureau Veritas AgriFood Labaratories, said: “Our transition to solar power has energised our team in Cape Town due to the reliability of our new system. We are delighted that we are able to serve our clients with 100% uptime, ensuring uninterrupted service and a brighter, more sustainable future for our community.
Gavin Hefer, District Chief Executive for Southern Africa, Bureau Veritas, commented: “We are extremely pleased with the team at our AgriFood Lab that has contributed to a project that allows us to better serve our clients in the Western Cape region. As a company that is committed to reducing our carbon footprint, it is imperative that we continue to relieve the national grid of pressure and operate in a way that is sustainable and environmentally responsible while delivering services to our clients without interruptions.”
Operating out of Brackenfell, in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, Bureau Veritas' AgriFood Laboratories, an ISO 17025:2017 SANAS accredited laboratory, is ideally situated to service role-players in the region's industrial hubs, as well as those operating the winelands, farming region, fruit orchards, wheatlands and rooibos fields, together with their associated value chains from coast to coast.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Bureau Veritas.
Media contacts:
Prince Cekeshe
+260 542 9824
Prince.Cekeshe@bureauveritas.com
Peter Moopela
+27 81 399 9737
jhbmandlsales@bureauveritas.com
About Bureau Veritas:
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has circa 84,000 employees located in nearly 1,600 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its 400,000 clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.
Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40 ESG, CAC Next 20 and SBF 120 indices.
Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.
For more information, visit www.BureauVeritas.com, and follow us on Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/47vbZMJ) (@bureauveritas) and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/46yBcEv).
CENTURION, 27 November 2023 — This holiday season, Centurion Mall is embracing a fresh approach to festivities with a strong focus on environmental consciousness and community engagement. Your parking ticket is now more than just a pass; it’s a key contributor to saving the environment and fostering job opportunities within our community. By repurposing parking …
Collaboration is key to moving SA towards a water secure future
Collaboration is critical in moving South Africa towards a more water secure future that in all essence, is the pursuit towards the fundamental preservation of life.
This was the sentiments echoed by leading scientists who attended the Climate Change and Water Sector Consultation workshop, held in Pretoria, on Friday.
The Department of Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) assembled captains of industry, leading minds and various stakeholders in a hybrid Climate Change and Water Sector Consultation workshop.
The session was aimed at fostering meaningful discussions and collaborative efforts towards sustainable development and climate security in the water sector.
Inputs solicited from the consultation will be incorporated into the revised draft Climate Change Strategy, which will be followed by intense consultation with various stakeholders across the country to solicit more inputs to pave the way for a development of a strategy that will ensure a climate resilient South Africa.
Spearheaded by Specialist Scientist – Directorate Climate Change Analysis at the Department of Water and Sanitation, Dr Gabriel Lekalakala, the consultation delved into two key areas, including water in National Determined Contributions (NDC) to place water at the heart of development pathways, and drafting the Climate Change Status Quo and National Response Strategy.
At the workshop, speakers echoed each other’s sentiments that the drive for water security calls for a collaborative response from government, civil society organisations, experts, and the private sector.
The speakers agreed that a shared global challenge and combined efforts are essential to ensure sustainable water management, improve access, and innovate resilient solutions.
According to the scientists, this tripartite alliance can drive impactful policies, fund crucial initiatives, and implement effective strategies to secure the world's water future.
Draft National Climate Change Response Strategy
Lekalakala said the water and sanitation sector is faced with a wide range of challenges that are further exacerbated by climate change and has severe impact on water security.
He said the development of response plans such as the draft National Climate Change Response Strategy for water and sanitation sector, together with collaborative and coordinated responses from the sector, can contribute towards reducing the potential impacts.
“The strategy is a blueprint for the sector to use in response to climate change related impacts and requires all hands on deck. Hence, the consultation is to afford the sector players to contribute towards its robustness and all take ownership of it.
“There will be more consultation processes making use of all available platforms in the coming weeks. Its implementation process will involve awareness drives of the strategy to wider uptake. We encourage all stakeholder to take part in all these processes,” Lekalakala said.
Inclusion
Director of Water, Growth and Inclusion at IWMI, Dr Inga Jacobs-Mata, who led the discussions on Climate Change Response Strategy for water and sanitation sector, as well as developing the NDC Capacity Scorecard, emphasised that achieving water inclusion is not just a necessity, but an “imperative that requires all of us.”
“This collaboration is vital to address water scarcity, improve water quality, and ensure equitable access. The United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, underscore the urgency of this mission not just in South Africa, but globally.
“By prioritising water inclusion, we not only contribute to SDG 6 but also lay the foundation for achieving interconnected goals such as eradicating poverty, ensuring good health and well-being, and fostering sustainable communities. The journey to water security is inseparable from the broader pursuit of a sustainable and equitable future for all,” Dr Jacobs-Mata said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 11/27/2023 - 09:38
Concentrix + Webhelp and Blossom continue partnership to fight period poverty and empower women in Gugulethu. Concentrix + Webhelp, a global leader in customer experience (CX) solutions and technology, is taking a stand against period poverty by extending its partnership with Blossom Care Solutions to provide funding for the latest Blossom site, which recently opened …
Afrika Tikkun Services (ATS) in partnership with HSBC Bank hosted the 5th Annual Alumni Entrepreneur Network (AEN) Business Summit, on 11 November 2023, celebrating their ingenious entrepreneurs. The Summit provided young entrepreneurs with an opportunity to pitch their innovative business ideas or present their existing businesses to a panel of judges and a chance to …
Kubayi orders improved services in Nelson Mandela Bay informal settlements
Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has given the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan a directive to provide informal settlement dwellers with adequate human rights services, including water and sanitation -- in compliance with norms and standards -- within seven days.
Kubayi gave the directive during an outreach programme, which saw the handing over of keys to newly built government-subsidised homes and title deeds to beneficiaries in Motherwell in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape.
The visit on Wednesday formed part of the coordinated effort amongst the three spheres of government to effect province-wide interventions to accelerate the delivery of sustainable human settlements.
Kubayi said the three spheres of government and relevant agencies should present tangible responses to improve living conditions of various communities by the end of January 2024.
Responding to various concerns raised by the community during an imbizo, Kubayi said the three spheres of government must find solutions to the inhumane conditions under which people live.
“We cannot have instances where people live in Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) with inadequate ablution facilities. We can’t sit and watch injustice happen… we must intervene urgently,” the Minister said.
She noted some progress in the in-situ upgrading project in the metro, and acknowledged that more work needs to be done.
This includes proper verification processes, as “some people who demand housing in the projects may not necessarily qualify for fully subsidised government housing”.
“There cannot be repeat benefits, as the system automatically disqualifies anyone who owned a property before,” Kubayi reminded the applicants.
She said the Eastern Cape province has about 53 000 houses that require rectification.
“These are homes that predate democracy and also from the early days before the set norms and standards by the National Home Builders' Registration Council (NHBRC). Due to limited financial constraints, the rectification programme will be undertaken in a phased manner,” Kubayi explained.
Warning against sale of government-subsidised houses
The Minister reiterated the warning to beneficiaries not to sell government-subsidised houses.
“The current Human Settlements policy is very clear on who should benefit from subsidised housing, and it does not include foreign nationals. It takes R350 000 to build each house and you sell them for R15 000, and three months down the line you come back demanding housing from the government,” the Minister said.
The Minister also announced that she and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete will conduct a verification programme, called Operation Ziveze, aimed at ascertaining that government-subsidised homes are occupied by their rightful owners.
Echoing the Minister’s sentiments, Tshwete warned residents about giving away their title deeds to loan sharks in exchange for quick, unsecured loans.
“I urge you to take care of your title deeds we are giving you today. This is not just proof of ownership, but also an asset for your children.”
The imbizo was part of a series of outreach programmes the Minister and Deputy Minister are embarking on to unlock challenges within the Human Settlements value chain.
Limpopo houses handover
Meanwhile, Kubayi and Tshwete will on Thursday hand over government-subsidised houses to the qualifying beneficiaries in Bela Bela Ext 25 in the Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo.
The project is one of the informal settlements upgrading projects aimed at restoring the dignity of people living in informal settlements.
Bela Bela Extension 25 is expected to deliver over 1 000 housing units on completion.
The housing handover will precede the last meeting for this calendar year between the Ministry and MECs of Human Settlements (MINMEC) to reflect on the performance of the sector since the beginning of the 2023/24 financial year.
Discussions will include the release of land parcels for human settlement development, an update on government’s efforts to upgrade informal settlements across the country and the delivery of housing units, and progress on the title deeds campaign. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 11/23/2023 - 10:15
Hermanus – Western Cape, November, 2023: Growth in Motion: Empowering Change and Development in the Workplace Growth in Motion, a 51% Black Woman Owned QSE professional consulting business, announces its continued commitment to providing industry-leading change management and professional development services. With a Level 2 B-BBEE rating, Growth in Motion stands at the forefront of organizational …