Business - Page 56

The Strandfontein coastal node in Cape Town is set for a major developmental surge, with plans to create a vibrant, interconnected urban area that combines residential, retail and recreational spaces. The proposed development includes conference and hotel facilities, picnic areas, walkways and terraces, public spaces for markets, and the preservation and restoration of natural wetlands and dunes. An independent environmental consultant will ensure harmony with the environment, while residents are encouraged to participate in shaping the development, which aims to be a model of progress and environmental sustainability.

Cape Town’s three water treatment plants, Brooklands, Blackheath, and Voëlvlei, have received the ISO 22000 food safety management system certification, marking a significant achievement in their pursuit of quality. This rigorous certification signifies the city’s commitment to exceptional standards and supplying its inhabitants with topquality potable water. The certification process involved a thorough review of current practices, internal evaluations, comprehensive training, and detailed examination by external auditors. This accomplishment highlights the dedication of the Water and Sanitation team and provides a sense of security for residents’ access to clean drinking water, a fundamental human right.

The South African National Petroleum Company Bill proposes the creation of a governmentoperated energy corporation to oversee the nation’s exploration and production rights and ensure sustainable development of petroleum resources in South Africa. The Bill marks a crucial milestone in the country’s quest for robust energy governance and sustainable growth and is open for public input, reflecting the government’s dedication to transparency and inclusivity in policy formation. The Bill is an opportunity for citizens to shape their country’s energy sector and paves the way for a new epoch of energy governance marked by increased control and sustainable practices.

Kuza Freezer, a Kenyan startup, has developed an innovative solution for the country’s fishing industry solarpowered freezers. With around 60,000 fishermen relying on the waters for their livelihoods, the lack of affordable cold storage facilities has resulted in a significant amount of their catch going to waste. However, Kuza Freezer’s payasyougo model allows fishermen to rent the freezers without significant upfront expenses, extending the shelflife of their catch to over 30 days. The company aims to expand its reach to benefit at least 600 more fishermen and potentially explore new markets.

The Ministry of Tourism in South Africa has partnered with Google to improve the country’s tourism industry. The collaboration involves digital skills training, showcasing South African tourism sites and cultural heritage on Google’s Arts and Culture Portal, and organizing seminars to enhance tourism thought leadership. This partnership will empower local businesses, particularly emerging firms, and drive economic growth. By combining Google’s technological strengths with the Ministry’s strategies, South Africa aims to present itself as an alluring tourist destination and leverage innovation for promoting tourism.

The Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards in South Africa celebrate the determination and innovation of small businesses and cooperatives. The awards honour those who have shown extraordinary resilience and commitment to sustainable small business development, playing a critical role in bolstering the country’s economy. The event acknowledges the importance of entrepreneurship in South Africa and recognizes the contributions of those who have made substantial progress in their respective sectors.

The TUT Centre for Entrepreneurship Development celebrated its fifth anniversary on November 14, 2023, marking five years of empowering startups with essential entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and training. The center’s strategic approach aims to foster social and economic inclusivity by encouraging participation from women, youth, and disabled individuals in the entrepreneurial space through access to education and support. The event also recognized the remarkable contributions of entrepreneurs, trainers, mentors, and the Department’s leadership, leaving attendees with a renewed purpose and optimism for the future of entrepreneurship in South Africa.

South Africa’s Game Meat Strategy is an innovative plan for sustainable growth and job creation in the game meat industry. With a vision for a resilient and comprehensive game meat sector, the strategy aims to enhance food security, conservation, and sustainable use of biodiversity while generating over 200,000 sustainable jobs by 2030. The execution plan involves collaborative governance with various stakeholders to achieve economic growth, environmental preservation, and social development. This strategy is not just a gamechanger for the industry but has potential to revolutionize the South African economy.

The National Student Financial Scheme (NSFAS) in South Africa is evolving and modernizing to better serve its over a million student beneficiaries. The organization has responded to criticism and embraced change by restructuring its ICT system, reevaluating operational processes, optimizing its application processes for faster funding decisions, and initiating a mobile application for the 2024 application season. The NSFAS is also collaborating with the Department of Basic Education to ameliorate the application validation process and putting the final touches on funding guidelines for the academic year 2024. Despite challenges, NSFAS is committed to providing financial aid to students from impoverished and workingclass communities in South Africa.

South Africa will undergo a compulsory International Maritime Organisation (IMO) audit in November 2023, which will evaluate the country’s compliance with international maritime regulations and norms. The audit is part of South Africa’s commitment to accountability, safety, security, and environmental responsibility in maritime matters. The country’s active involvement in audits demonstrates its ambition to be a significant participant in global maritime affairs and enhance its maritime sector continually.

Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality is collaborating with stakeholders to promote economic growth through initiatives such as reopening the Bloemfontein Zoo, transforming Naval Hill into a tourism product, and supporting small businesses. They are also tackling environmental concerns with a wastetoenergy project. Despite economic hurdles, officials are confident that collective efforts can make Mangaung the province’s economic and investment hub. This meeting sparks optimism for a prosperous future and underscores officials’ dedication to sustainable economic growth.

The Youth in Waste Summit aimed to engage young people in transforming waste into wealth through the Circular Economy, creating jobs and promoting sustainable waste management. The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and The Environment kicked off the Summit, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing waste problem and the potential of the Circular Economy. The Summit provided an opportunity for young innovators, stakeholders, and communities to come together, showcasing fresh solutions to longstanding problems and becoming agents of change for a greener and more prosperous South Africa.

The North West Provincial Legislature is organizing an important Transport Sectoral Parliament to address challenges in the transport sector and foster a more democratic and participatory approach to decisionmaking. The event will bring together various stakeholders, including representatives from transportation services and departments, to contribute towards the construction of superior transport infrastructure for South Africa. The parliament will focus on challenges such as the Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure project, social cohesion, and rail transport infrastructure, and will be broadcast live on the North West Provincial Legislature’s Facebook page to enable wider public participation.

South Africa’s Hex Project is the country’s first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), located in the Western Cape, and represents a major breakthrough in Africa’s energy sector. Spearheaded by Eskom, the stateowned power corporation, the initiative aims to combat the global climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating job opportunities, securing investments, and enhancing living standards for South Africans. The Hex project is not only a remarkable engineering achievement, but also serves as a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.

The South African government is taking steps to combat unemployment, such as launching job openings and providing career counselling, as well as partnering with businesses and community organizations to generate job opportunities, particularly in the North West Province. The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour emphasized the pressing issue of unemployment at a recent business breakfast meeting and urged collaboration between the government and employers. Initiatives such as the Jobs Fair and Mobile Employment Centres aim to ease the burden of unemployment.