Africa

Swiss power and technology group ABB has announced it is to construct two solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants for Eskom, South Africa’s national electricity provider.

The two one-hectare pilot plants will be located on greenfield sites adjacent to the coal-fired power stations at Lethabo in the Free State, and Kendal in Mpumalanga. They will be the first of their kind to be built in South Africa.

City Power Johannesburg (Pty) Ltd is working hard to maintain its reputation for exceeding the expectations of its customers and stakeholders; and it is receiving plenty of recognition along the way.

August Zerwick, managing director of South Africa-based engineering solutions provider MegChem, talks to Jayne Alverca about the company’s unique approach to managing complexity.

Marriott International has identified enormous growth potential in the Middle East and Africa. Ed Fuller, president and managing director of International Lodging in the region, talks to Jayne Flannery about the rationale and strategy that underpins the expansion.

African Underground Mining Services (AUMS) is bringing world class Australian deep mining practices to West Africa and proving itself an essential partner to some of the world’s leading gold mining companies.

South Africa’s Allied Technologies (Altech) has announced its acquisition of Germany’s SetOne, a provider of DVB-based products and solutions in the German-speaking region of Europe.

Altech said that SetOne, which specialises in digital video broadcasting (DVB) STB receivers, has built alliances with key players in the value chain of its products and services offering within Asia and Europe—including licence agreements with companies such as Sisvel, MPEG LA and Rovi.

The past few years have been difficult trading periods for retailers and as Alan Swaby learns, even the most prestigious names in the business have had to learn new tricks.

“Anyone who doesn’t think that a business has to reinvent itself periodically,” says Hilton Mer, executive chairman of Stuttafords—South Africa’s most prestigious department store—“is deluding themselves and by so doing, will prejudice the sustainability of the business. One has to be proactive in keeping in touch with markets and consumers.”

When a product idea has been around for over 100 years it must be doing something right; but as Alan Swaby learns, even the best ideas often need a second chance.

How many ‘novelty’ products have you owned over the years that are still in daily use? The answer, almost certainly, is frighteningly few. Gadgets that seem to offer an attractive alternative to store-bought products all too often find their way into the garage rather than claiming a permanent place in the kitchen.

Gary Whalley, chief operating officer of Babcock Ntuthuko Powerlines, says that the company’s long track record of engineering excellence means it is now ideally positioned to expand its footprint across Southern Africa. Jayne Alverca reports.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has announced its intention to sell its shareholding in South Africa’s Palabora Mining.

Rio Tinto currently holds a 57.7 per cent share in Palabora, whose primary asset is a copper mine in the Ba-Phalaborwa area of Limpopo, South Africa.

The mine has a current mine life until early 2016, and studies are underway for a potential extension to 2030.