Business - Page 46

Sure, here’s the emphasized sentence: South Africa aims to become a major player in the green hydrogen sector, given its abundant renewable energy resources and strategic location. The country’s Investment Strategy recognizes the sector as critical for attracting foreign and domestic investment, and estimates suggest that it could contribute 3.6% of South Africa’s GDP by 2050 and generate approximately 370,000 jobs. President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined the country’s ambitious plans for a green hydrogen economy, which include reducing domestic emissions by 10 to 15%. South Africa is also collaborating with other African countries through the African Green Hydrogen Alliance to tap into the continent’s potential for developing green hydrogen industries.

The City of Cape Town launched an Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme to address skills shortages and enhance service delivery in the Water and Sanitation Directorate. The programme provided training in waterrelated trades, empowering staff members and external candidates with the required qualifications to progress in their careers. The certification ceremony held earlier this week marked a significant achievement for the directorate, as 346 individuals received their certificates, boosting staff morale and reducing vacancy rates. Through these programmes, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate demonstrates its dedication to investing in its staff’s development and improving service quality.

Sure, here’s the emphasized text: Cape Town International Airport has experienced an incredible surge in passenger traffic, with over 1.7 million twoway passengers traveling through the airport’s international terminal from January to August 2023, a 107% increase compared to prepandemic levels. Domestic terminal traffic at CTIA also saw a significant upswing, with more than 4.3 million twoway passengers during the same period, an 80% rebound compared to 2019 statistics. The increase in tourist arrivals via air signifies a full recovery compared to the same period in 2019, with the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Netherlands, and France topping the list of source markets. The Western Cape’s travel and hospitality sectors appear poised for a prosperous future as CTIA’s passenger numbers continue to soar.

The Western Cape Government in South Africa celebrated World Food Day by promoting sustainable food security and encouraging households to create their vegetable gardens through the One Home, One Garden Initiative. The program provides resources, training, and support to households to start and maintain their gardens, enhancing access to affordable, nutritious food. In addition, the government supported poultry production training for seven households and implemented four community vegetable gardens. The initiative and community gardens illustrate the power of collaboration and grassroots action in contributing to a foodsecure future.

The telecommunications industry in South Africa is heavily impacted by loadshedding, which is controlled power outages to manage energy resources. During these disruptions, customers increasingly rely on mobile networks for communication, which puts a strain on already burdened services. To combat this, companies like Vodacom have invested in alternative energy sources such as generators and batteries and have entered into virtual wheeling agreements with independent power producers and the government to ensure connectivity remains functional during power outages. The Western Cape Government is also constantly revising its energy crisis management plan to take into account various scenarios such as prioritizing the restoration of telecommunications services. Private and public sector collaboration is necessary to develop innovative solutions and minimize the impact of the energy crisis, with the telecommunications industry playing a crucial role in maintaining connectivity.

The South AfricaNamibia BiNational Commission (BNC) is a platform for cooperation between the two countries. The third session of the BNC, cochaired by the South African and Namibian presidents, focused on trade and investment, energy and water security, peacekeeping, and regional collaboration. The BNC aims to improve bilateral ties, encourage joint development and growth, and create prosperous futures for their citizens. The two countries have identified the need to diversify their exports and imports, with South Africa exporting chemicals, machinery, vehicles, and steel to Namibia, while Namibia exports precious metals, iron and steel products, live animals, and other products to South Africa.

Sure! South Africa and Namibia are strengthening their economic relationship with a focus on collaboration in key sectors. During the 3rd South AfricaNamibia Binational Commission Business Forum, four primary areas of collaboration were identified: green hydrogen, crossborder value chains, investing in each other’s economies, and strengthening private sector ties. Both countries are capitalizing on their shared history, cultural heritage, and geography to build a brighter and more prosperous future, with a particular emphasis on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an opportunity for industrialization and economic growth.

Sure, I can help with that. Here it is: The Pitch for Funding Competition is a platform that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs in South Africa showcase their innovative ideas and products, connect with relevant resources and gain access to financial and nonfinancial support. This event, hosted by Minister for Small Business Development Stella NdabeniAbrahams, offers networking and collaboration opportunities, as well as the chance to secure funding and investment opportunities. By supporting the growth and development of small businesses, the competition contributes to South Africa’s economic stability and overall prosperity.

Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is implementing a Water Demand Management Strategy to ensure a sustainable and secure water supply for its growing population. The program includes various tests and evaluations to optimize water supply networks, as well as pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements. Although some residents may experience temporary water disruptions during these works, the City has carefully considered the timing of its maintenance to minimize inconvenience. The City’s commitment to addressing unaccounted water issues and preserving resources for the future reflects its collaborative approach with its residents.

Muizenberg is set to become a hub for safety and security training with the establishment of a new training college for the Safety and Security Directorate. The training college will offer valuable training for staff at local, provincial, and national levels. An open day has been organized for residents to share their thoughts and proposals to ensure inclusiveness in the public participation process. The renovation will include three new auditoriums, eight lecture rooms, a library, swimming pool, dormitories, a gym, boardrooms, an administrative block, and social/recreational spaces.

The quick response and dedication of airport personnel and the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services led to the reopening of Cape Town International Airport’s runway early on the next morning after it was closed in October 2023 due to an aircraft hydraulic fluid leak. This incident emphasized the growing need for more runway capacity as the airport prepares to welcome 215 flights per week from 30 international destinations in the upcoming summer season. The expansion of the airport’s capacity will have a significant impact on local businesses and communities, promoting growth and prosperity for residents and tourists alike.

The National School of Government (NSG) is celebrating its 10year anniversary with a range of activities and events showcasing its contributions to building public sector capacity in South Africa. Over 526,000 participants have benefited from its training programs, generating more than R1 billion in course fee revenue. The NSG has hosted highimpact engagements and demonstrated good governance and financial management through consecutive years of unqualified and clean audits, while effectively navigating the challenges presented by the COVID19 pandemic and increasing online enrolments for eLearning courses. Its efforts align with the South African government’s decision to prioritize the development of a capable, ethical, and developmental state.

Saldanha Bay, a town in South Africa, is taking a bold step towards energy security by issuing a groundbreaking tender for independent power producers to establish power generation plants, providing a consistent supply of approximately 100 MW of electricity. The project aims to supply electricity to the town’s power grid within three years and consists only of gas and renewable energy sources, highlighting the town’s commitment to sustainability and fighting climate change. The tender represents a turning point for Saldanha Bay and energy policy in South Africa, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others to follow.

South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis has prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government to launch a comprehensive strategy to tackle the issue. This includes the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, the Presidential Employment Stimulus, and collaborations with the private sector. These initiatives provide young people with temporary earning opportunities, promote selfemployment and informal microenterprises, and have generated over 1.4 million jobs and livelihood opportunities, with more than 80% going to young people. Despite progress, there is still much work to be done to ensure all young South Africans have access to job opportunities.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a gamechanging initiative aimed at creating a unified market for goods and services across Africa. By promoting trade integration and economic liberalization, the AfCFTA could lead to diversified exports, increased production capabilities, faster growth, and higher income levels throughout the continent. Industry sectors such as chemicals and cosmetics are already gearing up to harness the potential of the AfCFTA, which could increase intraAfrican trade by 52.3% and grow Africa’s economy to $29 trillion by 2050. The successful implementation of this initiative would be a significant milestone in Africa’s economic transformation.