INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA

INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA

Investment in infrastructure is important to enhance economic development, intra trade and regional integration. This was said by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina. He was speaking at the second leg of the 6^th annual India Trade and Investment Initiative (ITI) hosted today in Kolkata, India.

Masina said it was important to emphasise that the bedrock of new growth in the African continent will come from infrastructure development.

“The opportunity to collaborate with Indian companies will make it possible for South Africa to realise the deliverables of the programme in particular the North-South corridor with emphasis on road and rail infrastructure,” he said.

Masina urged the Indian business delegation to optimally utilise the ITI platform and give voice to key issues in the Infrastructure, agro-processing, mining and minerals beneficiation, electro-technical, cosmetics and renewable energy sectors represented in the twenty-five member strong business delegation from South Africa.

“South Africa and India share a common vision in this regard. Like South Africa, India has to address the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment. I am of the firm view that it is through initiatives of this nature that we will be able to address the challenges of unemployment, advance the fight against poverty and accelerate the economic transformation within our respective countries,” added Masina.

The Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce Mr Kalyan Kar said India’s investment in South Africa is over $33 billion in different sectors.

Kar pointed out that Indian businesses are keen to invest and collaborate with South Africa especially in the coal mining sector.

COPPER CABLE SUSPECTS REMANDED IN CUSTODY

COPPER CABLE SUSPECTS REMANDED IN CUSTODY

Nelspruit – on Thursday 26 February 2015, three suspects appeared before the Mdutshane Magistrate’s Court in Siyabuswa following the discovery of suspected stolen copper cables.

The cables were discovered by Traffic Officials who were on duty in Siyabuswa conducting routine roadworthy inspection of a truck on Wednesday, 25 February 2015. It was then that they noticed that it was loaded with cables which the three men could not give a satisfactory response of its origin. The trio presented the officials with a fraudulent permit to transport the cables.

The men, David Serothwane (57), Simon Makgetlaneng (66) and Canias Mlambo (26), did not succeed to fool the diligent officials. They were all escorted to the Siyabuswa Police Station where they were arrested and charged with possession of stolen cables with an estimated value of R250 000.

The case against the suspects was remanded to 05 March 2015, for bail application.

TOP POLITICAL HEADS TO REVIEW SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS

TOP POLITICAL HEADS TO REVIEW SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS

By BRIAN KAJENGO

Due to what is caused unnecessary protests that are happening in Mpumalanga particularly in Bushbuckridge have caused wages of tongues in the Bohlabela Region. Two weeks ago the Bohlabela Region Chairperson Gillion Mashego told the media that illegitimate protests are caused by disgruntled ANC members that did not acquire top positions.

Gillion Mashego said, “We are aware of the trouble causers that are initiating unnecessary what they call service delivery protests.”

The MECs of Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Department of Safety, Security and Liaison together with Ehlanzeni District Municipality Mayor and the Provincial Commissioner will be holding a press briefing following the recent PEC Lekgotla resolution:

They leadership convened a media briefing regarding to the problems.

THE COMPANIES TRIBUNAL TO HOST A SEMINAR ON PROMOTING ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND ACCOUNTABLE CORPORATE CITIZENRY

THE COMPANIES TRIBUNAL TO HOST A SEMINAR ON PROMOTING ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND ACCOUNTABLE CORPORATE CITIZENRY

Members of the media are invited to the Companies Tribunal (Tribunal) seminar on promoting enterprise development and accountable corporate citizenry. Some of the speakers at the seminar include the Deputy Director-General for Consumer and Corporate Regulation Division in the dti, Ms Zodwa Ntuli:

The event to hold at Emperor’s Palace Kempton Park, Johannesburg on Wednesday 25 February 2015

    The purpose of the seminar is to raise awareness about the work of the Tribunal and to consider important principles arising from the Companies Act (“the Act”), and suggestions for statutory reform. The seminar will focus on enterprise formation and compliance by companies with the  Act, the adjudication of company disputes in terms of the companies Act; the protection of minority shareholders during takeovers.

Attention will also be devoted to the Tribunal’s dispute resolution mechanism of mediation, conciliation and arbitration, opportunities and challenges regarding exemptions to appoint social and ethics committees. 

TRADE OPPORTUNITIES ABUNDANT IN TANZANIA FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSES

TRADE OPPORTUNITIES ABUNDANT IN TANZANIA FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSES

There are unlimited investment opportunities for South African Businesses in Tanzania. That is according to the Director of Membership Services at the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), Mr Louis Accaro. He was speaking on the second leg of an Outward Selling and Investment Mission currently underway in Tanzania. The mission is organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

“The challenges with our infrastructure, the expansion of the new ports and the airport, and power generation amongst others, can be translated into investment opportunities for business people,” said Accaro.

He also emphasised the importance of structuring business engagements and frequent business visits to both South Africa and Tanzania.

“In partnership with the Tanzanian public and private sectors, we would like to share our technology and productive capacity to make a direct and meaningful contribution towards regional integration, economic growth and poverty alleviation in the continent,” he added.

The Chief Director of Export Promotion and Marketing at the dti, Ms Zanele Sanni emphasised that South Africa was capable of responding to the challenges as she highlighted the strengths of the visiting business delegation.

“We have a large contingent of participants who have expertise in the infrastructure sector,” added Sanni.

Sanni extended an invitation to Tanzania businesses to visit South Africa and urged them to pursue mutually beneficial long-term joint ventures. She also noted that South African businesspeople present at the seminar were keen to partner with Tanzania and integrate their products and services into the supply chain for some of the major infrastructure projects currently underway.

In light of Tanzania’s discovery of oil and gas, both Sanni and Accaro agreed that the diversification of economies through adding value to raw materials was key to high growth and sustained industrialisation. The two also emphasised the importance of sound investment in infrastructure development as well as the removal of regulatory barriers that have a negative impact on movements of goods and services.

           

The first day of the Tanzanian leg of the mission concluded with roundtable discussions that focused on agriculture and agro-processing, energy, mining, electro-technical and capital equipment, infrastructure development, manufacturing, as well as petrochemicals and medical supplies. A presentation on the Tanzanian investment climate and opportunities was also delivered.

TANZANIANS HOPE TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY OPERATION PHAKISA

TANZANIANS HOPE TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY OPERATION PHAKISA

Tanzanian businesspeople are looking forward to exploring opportunities presented by the Operation Phakisa initiative. This was said by the  Chief Director of Export Promotion and Marketing at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Zanele Sanni. Sanni was addressing the media on the last day of the Outward Selling and Investment Mission in Dar Es Salaam,Tanzania.

The mission which focused on the East African Communities started in Nairobi, Kenya and ended in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. It was organised by  the dti.

Sanni said the level of interest in Operation Phakisa from the Tanzanians was great.

“The marine economy-focused Operation Phakisa is going to unlock opportunities in the shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, mining, oil and gas, bio-technology and tourism sectors and the Tanzanian private sector is enthusiastic about these opportunities,” said Sanni.

According to Sanni, approximately US$ 1 billion has been committed for investment in gas and oil exploration in the Port of Saldanha as part of the Operation Phakisa initiative and an invitation has been extended to businesspeople to access the opportunities.

 “The state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are keen to partner and work with other African economies with a view to prioritise investment in marine manufacturing, boat building as well as oil rig maintenance and repair. We have called on the Tanzanians, amongst others, to support our SOEs later in the year when they start visiting our shores with a view to drafting mutually beneficial value propositions in this sector,” added Sanni.

Sanni also highlighted that the mission, which was intended to increase trade and investment between South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania was a success as it presented high level of engagements between the businesspeople in both countries.

“We encourage the businesspeople to follow-up on the leads to enable them to translate them into transactions that would lead to increased trade and investments. We hope that in six months we will be able to report on tangible transactions as a result of the mission,” said Sanni

DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA ARRIVES IN INDIA TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL RELATIONS

DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA ARRIVES IN INDIA TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL RELATIONS  

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina has arrived in Hyderabad, India where he is leading a delegation of twenty-five (25) South African businesspeople on the 6^th annual India Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) scheduled to take place from 23-25 February 2015. 

The objective of the ITI is to create market access for the South African value-added products, and services in India and to also promote South Africa as an attractive trade and investment destination.

Masina encouraged the delegation to maximize opportunities offered by the Indian market and to follow up on the economic opportunities and partnership with Indian companies based in Hyderabad.

“India has an interest in Africa, particularly South Africa. In their interaction, It is important that members of the South African business delegation inform their Indian counterparts about our government programmes aimed at achieving the industrialization and localisation of our the economy with special focus on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, “ said Masina

Masina’s programme will include bilateral meetings with the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr Sri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu and meetings with potential investors in Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO), mining and the film industries.Tomorrow, Masina will address a business seminar hosted by the Indian government in partnership with the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce.

Trade between South and India has increased significantly over the past eight years, growing more than five folds from R16,12 billion in 2006 to R90 billion in 2014. This growth was driven by major increase in the South African exports to India.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS INTEGRAL TO ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS INTEGRAL TO ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

The Chief Director for Export Promotion and Marketing at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Zanele Sanni says the business community is integral to economic transformation.  Sanni was speaking at an investment seminar held in Nairobi as part of the Outward Selling and Investment Mission currently taking place in Kenya.

According to Sanni, business can increase the creation of decent sustainable jobs, advance the fight against poverty and accelerate the economic transformation.

She pointed out that South Africa was still leading with regard to investment into Africa.

“South Africa’s investment in Kenya is distinct in that investors take a long term view and prioritise the creation of sustainable jobs. Seventeen investment projects originating from South African companies have been established in Kenya in the past six years. The value of this investment amounts to US$200 million and 429 direct jobs have been created,” she highlighted.

Sanni said whilst trade had increased steadily, the trade surplus was heavily skewed towards South Africa, and to address the skewed trend of the trade surplus, South Africa and Kenya have signed a number of agreements that seek to increase trade and investment flows as well as to establish regular consultation at all levels.

“Barriers to trade are also being addressed through the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Standardisation between our standards, quality, and accreditation and measurement authorities. There is also a draft MoU on the development of small business which is aimed at more inclusive growth and widening the business base,” added Sanni.

To further address the trade imbalance between South Africa and Kenya, Sanni announced that the two counties had agreed to establish a Joint Business Council, and she will be meeting her counterparts in Kenya to appraise each other on the progress made in the establishment thereof.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Platinum Credits, a South African company that has invested in Kenya, Mr Brett Sievwright said his company had grown from strength to strength. He told the South African businesspeople that it was easy to do business in Kenya. He emphasised that companies needed to adhere to rules of engagement, which Kenya, like any other country has.

SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION IBM EQUITY EQUIVALENT INVESTMENT PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION IBM EQUITY EQUIVALENT INVESTMENT PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

Minister Davies launched the seven hundred million rand (R 700 000 000.00) IBMSA Broad- Based Black Economic Empowerment Equity Equivalent Investment Programme. The launch of this Equity Equivalent Investment Programme is in line with the 2007 Codes of Good Practice that require that all entities operating in the South African economy to make a contribution towards the objectives of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE).

Such contributions are referred to as Equity Equivalent (EE) contributions. EE contributions count towards the ownership element of B-BBEE made by Multinationals. The value of these EE contributions may be measured against 25% of the value of the Multinational's South African operations or may be measured against 4% of the Total Revenue from its South African operations annually over the period of continued measurement.

EE Programmes are expected to contribute towards the achievement of Enterprise Creation and Development, Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs), accelerated growth and development of black rural women and youth, sustainable growth and development, human development with focus on education and skills development and infrastructure investment with emphasis on developing the country’s research and development infrastructure.

On the 26 January 2015, I approved IBMSA Broad- Based Black Economic Empowerment Equity Equivalent Investment Programme for an investment amount of seven hundred million rand (R 700 000 000.00) over a period of ten (10) years. The IBMSA programme will comprise three integrated and interdependent components:

·         Enterprise Development Programme (EDP);

·         Academic Programme; and

·         Research Programme.

The Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) is focused on developing  black Owned and black women owned businesses with a particular focus on small and medium enterprises (SME’s) and South African youth, within the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) domain.

During the ten (10) year period, the EDP aims to develop a total of seventy four (74) beneficiaries that are either individual with aspirations of being entrepreneurs; SME’s or matured enterprises seeking to grow through the acquisition of new skills and capabilities.

IBM will provide funding for 56 students to participate in the Wits curriculum.

• Undergraduate Stream: The objective is to provide disadvantaged black matriculates (from rural/peri-urban areas) a bursary funding of 100% of the total costs for the minimum amount of time allowed to complete a BSc Computer Science Programme.

·         Honours Stream: The honours level is the international standard for a first degree.  For international mobility, and entrance into postgraduate courses at foreign universities, the honours degree is a minimum requirement. The honours degree is an advanced, marketable qualification, recognised internationally.  The course provides improved employment prospects, and opens up increased opportunities for entrepreneurial prospects. It is the degree which provides entry into research and development. The Academic Programme at WITS will look at funding honours students, based on commonality of research interest.

·         Masters Stream: The objective is to provide funding for formalised Internships to Masters and PhD students from all recognised universities within South Africa, based on commonality of Research interest.

• Doctoral Stream: The objectives is to provide funding for formalised internships to Masters and PhD students from all recognised universities within South Africa, based on commonality of Research interest.

Research Programme

The IBMSA Research – Africa will focus on addressing key challenges of South Africa through commercially viable innovations that impact people’s lives.

Lastly, in terms of the company’s commitment, I have granted IBMSA the full twenty (20) points under the Ownership Element of the BBBEE Codes for their participation in the Programme.

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY BENEFICIATION PROJECTS TO MARK WORLD WILDLIFE DAY 2015 AT SKUKUZA

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY BENEFICIATION PROJECTS TO MARK WORLD WILDLIFE DAY 2015 AT SKUKUZA

The Department of Environmental Affairs and South African National Parks (SANParks) will celebrate the 2^nd World Wildlife Day celebration to be held at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, on 3 March 2015.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March, the day of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. 

The theme for World Wildlife Day 2015 is Wildlife Crime is serious: let’s get serious about wildlife crime” to highlight the positive role that local communities can play in helping to curb illegal wildlife trade.  The theme is complemented by the sub themes: “Wildlife and sustainable tourism” and “The role of local communities in conservation”.

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, and the CEO of SANParks, Mr Fundisile Mketeni, will announce community beneficiation projects as part of the effort to reduce rhino poaching during the event. More than 1 000 local community members and school children from villages bordering the Kruger National Park are expected to be in attendance.

You are invited to accompany the Department to the Kruger National Park on 2 March 2015 in order to cover the event on 3 March 2015 for your publication/medium.  The programme includes a field visit to the carcass of a rhino that was poached, an anti-poaching demonstration by SANParks anti-poaching unit members, and a formal programme where Minister Molewa will deliver the keynote address.

MEC FOR COGTA WARNS AGAINST ELECTRICITY ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS

MEC FOR COGTA WARNS AGAINST ELECTRICITY ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS

The MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Mpumalanga, Refilwe Mtshweni warns the communities against illegal connections of electricity.

Mtshweni says the illegal connections have adverse effect in the delivery of basic services such as water, sanitation, and community lighting. She says this reduces the supply of power to the Water Treatment Plants, Reservoirs; Waste Water Treatment plants and it affects delivery of water. She says the stability of electricity networks is also affected and contributes to revenue loss to both Eskom and Local Municipalities which leads to the exponential increase of electricity tariffs

Losses are currently estimated at R1.5 billion a year to municipalities and contribute to the high electricity debt to Eskom by Local Municipalities as much of the electricity consumed is currently unaccounted for.

Mtshweni says the major risk of illegal connections is poor quality of supply of electricity that is experienced by a number of communities which leads to unplanned power outages. “Communities are exposed to live electricity wires and this leads to a loss of lives and livestock. Electricity expansion become more expensive due to illegal connections”, she added.

Mtshweni says both government and Eskom are working hard to reduce illegal connections, by using the following methods:  Installing tamper-proof technologies such as secured pre-paid meters, working with law enforcement agencies to strengthen the legal framework and investigate and prosecute electricity criminals.

DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA TO LEAD BUSINESS DELEGATION TO INDIA

DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA TO LEAD BUSINESS DELEGATION TO INDIA

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina will lead a delegation of twenty-five (25) South African businesspeople to the 6^th annual India Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) taking place in Hyderabad and Kolkata, India from23 – 27 February 2015.

The ITI is part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti) export and investment promotion strategy to focus on India as a high growth export market and foreign direct investment source.

Deputy Minister Masina says as a follow-up to the 5^th ITI held in March 2014 , this  ITI will target South African companies seeking to attract foreign direct investment and also project owners and managers seeking joint venture partnerships in agro-processing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, mining and mineral benefication, infrastructure, architecture and renewable energy sectors. 

According to Masina, South Africa’s economic relations with India have flourished since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1993. Closer economic ties are also fostered using initiatives such as the Joint Ministerial Commission and business engagements facilitated through the SA-India CEOs Forum.

“Beyond bilateral relations, South Africa and India remain committed partners and are determined to strengthen the South-South Cooperation in the context of IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) and BRICS. These forums are an undertaking by countries with shared interests in a multilateral system to address political, social and economic matters,” he adds.

Masina’s programme will include bilateral meetings with representatives of government and businesses. He will also conduct site visits to various industries in Hyderabad and Kolkata.  

India ranks among the top 10 investing countries in South Africa. Between January 2009 and June 2014 a total of 44 Foreign Direct Investment projects from India were recorded. These projects represent a total capital investment of R18.25 billion which is an average investment of R414.76 million per project.

The total trade between India and South Africa was worth R80.9 billion in 2013 with a trade balance of R22.9 billion in favour of India.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS INTEGRAL TO ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS INTEGRAL TO ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

The Chief Director for Export Promotion and Marketing at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Zanele Sanni says the business community is integral to economic transformation.  Sanni was speaking at an investment seminar held in Nairobi as part of the Outward Selling and Investment Mission currently taking place in Kenya.

According to Sanni, business can increase the creation of decent sustainable jobs, advance the fight against poverty and accelerate the economic transformation.

She pointed out that South Africa was still leading with regard to investment into Africa.

“South Africa’s investment in Kenya is distinct in that investors take a long term view and prioritise the creation of sustainable jobs. Seventeen investment projects originating from South African companies have been established in Kenya in the past six years. The value of this investment amounts to US$200 million and 429 direct jobs have been created,” she highlighted.

Sanni said whilst trade had increased steadily, the trade surplus was heavily skewed towards South Africa, and to address the skewed trend of the trade surplus, South Africa and Kenya have signed a number of agreements that seek to increase trade and investment flows as well as to establish regular consultation at all levels.

“Barriers to trade are also being addressed through the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Standardisation between our standards, quality, accreditation and measurement authorities. There is also a draft MoU on the development of small business which is aimed at more inclusive growth and widening the business base,” added Sanni.

To further address the trade imbalance between South Africa and Kenya, Sanni announced that the two counties had agreed to establish a Joint Business Council, and she will be meeting her counterparts in Kenya to appraise each other on the progress made in the establishment thereof.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Platinum Credits, a South African company that has invested in Kenya, Mr Brett Sievwright said his company had grown from strength to strength. He told the South African businesspeople that it was easy to do business in Kenya. He emphasised that companies needed to adhere to rules of engagement, which Kenya, like any other country has.

SOUTH AFRICA AND KENYA CAN COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER

SOUTH AFRICA AND KENYA CAN COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER 

The parallels in South Africa and Kenya’s development paths support the harnessing of complementarities in economic and business pursuits.  This was said by the Chief Director of Export Promotion and Marketing at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Zanele Sanni. She was speaking at the first leg of the Outward Selling and Investment Mission which is currently underway in the capital of Kenya, Nairobi.

Both South Africa and Kenya are renowned for the soundness and advances made in their financial services sector, particularly in the banking sectors. Pairing the strengths of Kenya in mobile money transfer (M-PESA) with South Africa’s large pool of the unbanked can help catapult the latter’s fledgling industry in this subsector.

“On the other hand, South Africa’s expertise in the development of capital equipment, deep mining technologies and manufacturing can be exchanged between the businesspeople to stimulate the optimal, responsible and sustainable use of Kenya’s new found mineral resources,” said Sanni.

Sanni cited developments at the recent African Union summit held in Ethiopia, where both President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Jacob Zuma reiterated their commitment to the aspirational pillars of a prosperous Africa that is based on inclusive growth and sustainable development amongst others. This according to Sanni, obligates both the public and the private sector to work together to attain these ideals of a progressive and influential Africa.

 “What this translates to is that businesspeople in both countries need to work on the synergies that would give life to these political commitments,” she emphasised.

According to her, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at boosting trade and investment were being discussed with a view of finalising them in mid-2015.  

“These include the MoU between Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA) and Kenya Investment Authority (Ken Invest), and the Export Promotion Council (EPC), the  MoU on Standardisation between Kenya Bureau of Standards(KEBS) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), and  the MoU on Common Mutual Assistance Agreement between the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), among others.