What does it take to sustain a profitable solar business in SA in 2025?
This is what we’ll be asking two GREEN trainers who each run successful PV companies of their own, even though they’ve approached the industry from two very different angles:
Rudolph Kotze, founder of CCSO Solar and CCSO Consulting, has a background in mechanical engineering, plant management and business improvement consulting
Junior Le Grange, lead technician of Le Grange Services, is a Red Seal Electrician with hands-on solar installation experience
Join them for a FREE live webinar at 4pm on Thursday 5 December, where they’ll share from their experiences and best practices so that your company can THRIVE in 2025!
At the Old Tannery in Wellington an impressive collection of Ford Model Ts is on display. The oldest car on show is a 1912 Model T. Credit: Ford Media Center
The coastal city that was known as Port Elizabeth until it was recently renamed Gqeberha is a place where many things happened for the first time in South Africa.
The first cricket Test match, the first diamond auction, the first telephone exchange; the first wireless transmission, the list that appears on The Casual Observer website is a long and impressive one. In automotive terms, the trend holds true.
The first car to be imported into South Africa, before Mr Benz met Mr Daimler, was the Benz Velo model and it was in Port Elizabeth that Ford started making cars in 1924, followed two years later by General Motors. Glass manufacturers set up shop shortly afterwards, and South Africa’s automotive industry was underway.
The first town to get a major automotive investment outside of Port Elizabeth was its near-neighbour, Uitenhage, now Kariega. That was when an assembly plant was erected in 1947. This became what is now the Volkswagen plant, and the first Beetles started rolling off the assembly line in 1951.
The 520 963m² facility of the recently rebranded Volkswagen Group Africa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Aktiengessellschaft (VWAG) in Germany, is one of four plants worldwide that makes right-hand-drive Polos but the only one in the world that makes the Polo GTI. It has been a phenomenally successful product for export, with more than 1.5-million being shipped abroad.
Credit: East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ)
Over time, automotive manufacturing spread to another Eastern Cape coastal city (Mercedes in East London), KwaZulu-Natal (Toyota SA and Bell Equipment) and Gauteng (BMW, Nissan, Ford and a large number of automotive supply firms).
Isuzu later established itself in Gqeberha, and more recently has completed its consolidation project, with truck and bakkie manufacturing now taking place at its new headquarters in nearby Struandale.
Staying in the Gqeberha area, the Coega SEZ has also attracted Chinese investment in the form of FAW Trucks and the multinational company that makes and distributes 14 automotive brands, Stellantis.
The Automotive Business Council reports that automotive is the largest manufacturing sector in the country’s economy, with 21.9% of value addition within the domestic manufacturing output being derived from vehicle and automotive component manufacturing in 2023. The broader automotive industry’s contribution to GDP totalled 5.3% (3.2% from manufacturing and 2.1% from retail).
National government is invested in the automotive industry, believing that it is a strategic sector with the capacity to expand and increase employment. State support for the industry has helped it thrive, but manufacturers are expected to increase local content levels. The industry itself is looking to Africa for new markets and is urging national government to release policy guidelines on electric vehicles.
The Automotive Business Council, previously known as NAAMSA, represents all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), importers, exporters and distributors. The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) represents the components sector while the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), focusses on training, enterprise development, incubation programmes, management of incentive programmes and facility management.
Various support programmes for the industry have been successful, particularly in boosting exports. The Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP2) has been extended to 2035, 15 years beyond its original expiry date.
Both the Coega Special Economic Zone (Coega SEZ) and the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) in the Eastern Cape have areas dedicated to automotive and automotive components manufacture. The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), a project of the Gauteng Province, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and the City of Tshwane, has been functioning very successfully since 2019.
Credit: ELIDZ
Ford Motor Company of South Africa is the anchor tenant of TASEZ, although it still operates an engine plant in the town where it made its start in South Africa. Ford makes engines for the Ford Ranger pickup and Everest SUV at its Struandale plant in Gqeberha and it has committed to invest R600-million for modernising and growing its Eastern Cape operations, which employ about 850 people. A further R5.2-billion will enable hybrid-electric Ranger bakkies to be built in Gauteng.
Other parts of Gauteng also host production facilities for vehicles. UD Trucks, a part of the Volvo group, assembles the Croner heavy commercial vehicle at Rosslyn. Gauteng is also home to a strong automotive components industry, together with several bus and truck assembly plants. These include Scania, TFM Industries and MAN Truck and Bus South Africa, as well as the Chinese truck manufacturer FAW, which owns an assembly plant in Isando. Beijing Automotive Works (BAW) assembles taxis at Springs.
Armoured cars are produced by the Paramount Group. DCD Protected Mobility manufactures armoured cars in Boksburg, which are branded as Vehicle Mounted Mine Detectors. In nearby Benoni, BAE Systems OMC designs and manufactures protected vehicles.
Modern trends and investments
Ford has initiated discussions about the feasibility of developing a sophisticated rail corridor between Gauteng and the Eastern Cape to link up the company’s two plants: Ford wants to send parts to Pretoria and export cars through the Port of Gqeberha.
BMW’s Plant Rosslyn in Tshwane has produced more than 1.6-million vehicles and exported them to more than 40 countries worldwide, including 14 African nations. To produce the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid for export, BMW will invest R4.2-billion in adapting the factory to electrical specifications. More than 300 employees will receive specialised training at the plant, which was BMW’s first-ever foreign facility. BMW has also spent R260-million on an expanded campus at Midrand.
All of Gauteng’s large automobile manufacturers are investing in new model production. Nissan is spending R3-billion on production of the Navara pick-up vehicle.
The BMW headquarters in Gauteng have been revamped. Credit: BMW
Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s new C-Class project (W206) has sparked several other related investments, which collectively will create 2 078 new jobs over two years at the East London plant. The production of the C-Class vehicle is a technological marvel and the plant regularly wins international awards for quality. The installation of a new sequencing centre, installed by Automotive Logistics Solutions (an AHI company), has made the assembly line even more efficient.
Toyota South Africa reported in September 2023 that it had achieved national market share in vehicle sales of 27.6%, led by the number one brands in passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles, the Corolla Cross and Hilux.
More than 50% of the 3 249 Hiluxes sold were the double-cab models and 2 259 Corolla Cross vehicles were sold. In addition to the 1.8-million automotive part pieces sent out locally, the company shipped 272 290 pieces to foreign markets. In total, the company sold 142 612 in 2023, the highest level achieved for sales since 2007.
The company’s total investment of R4.2-billion between 2019 and 2021 included other manufacturing projects and a huge increase in warehousing capabilities. Among the challenges Toyota had to overcome was a major flood.
In 2025 Bell Equipment will start manufacturing the Bell Motor Grader in Richards Bay. A European technology partner and Bell engineers are working on developing a fully battery-operated version of the popular Bell Articulated Dump Truck (ADT).
KwaZulu-Natal has a substantial automotive components sector which includes large manufacturers such as GUD Filters. In line with the policy of developing Industrial Economic Hubs, the Durban Automotive Supplier Park is planned at Illovo, south of Durban and near to the Toyota manufacturing plant. The Dube TradePort Corporation will manage the project, which covers 1 013ha. Other partners are the eThekwini Municipality, Toyota and the provincial government but the floods which hit the province in 2022 have slowed progress on the project.
Another manufacturer of earthmoving equipment is at Port Shepstone on the South Coast. Dezzi is part of the Desmond Group of companies that was founded in 1973 and now has 18 offices and branches. The Dezzi CMI backhoe loader is a popular part of the company’s range.
Home-grown manufacturer of powertrain and catalytic converter assembly systems, Jendamark, exports to 18 countries from its facility in Gqeberha. Continental Tyre South Africa is producing a 19-inch tyre for the first time at its New Brighton facility in Port Elizabeth.
Automotive timeline highlights, South Africa
1896
Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co opens a Durban factory
The first car to be imported into South Africa, a Benz Velo, was offloaded in the city then known as Port Elizabeth
1923 Ford Motor Company founded
1924 Ford starts assembling cars in Port Elizabeth
1926 General Motors opens factory in Port Elizabeth
1935 Pilkington and Shatterprufe establish automotive glass plants in Port Elizabeth
1947
General Tire & Rubber Co established, becomes Continental
Assembly plant built at Uitenhage (now Kariega)
1951 Volkswagen Beetle begins production at SAMAD facility in Uitenhage
1954 Bell Equipment established in KwaZulu-Natal
1958 Car Distributors and Assemblers (CDA) starts assembling Mercedes in East London
1962
Toyota South Africa production launched in Durban
CDA starts producing Mercedes-Benz trucks
1964 First Isuzu trucks in SA
1966
SAMAD renamed Volkswagen of South Africa Limited
United Car and Diesel Distributors (UCDD) buys out CDA
1968
MAN opens in South Africa
BMW opens plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria (as Praetor Monteerders)
1973 Mercedes-Benz engine plant opens in East London, first outside Germany
1975 BMW South Africa completes takeover of company making vehicles at Rosslyn plant, becomes first BMW plant outside Germany
1978 Full production line at Isuzu Port Elizabeth plant
1984
Daimler-Benz AG buys majority stake in UCCD and changes name to Mercedes-Benz of South Africa
Bell Equipment opens Richards Bay facility
1986 GM sells and rebrands as Delta
1988 Ford withdraws from South Africa. SAMCOR takes over production and distribution of Ford and Mazda vehicles
1996 VW Polo starts production in Kariega
1997 GM buys 49% of Delta
2000 Ford completes takeover of SAMCOR, creating Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa
2004 GM buys remaining 51% in Delta
2013 One-millionth Corolla manufactured by Toyota
2014 FAW Trucks SA begins assembling trucks at Coega SEZ, Gqeberha
2018 Mahindra starts assembling bakkies in Durban
2021 200 000th BMW X3 produced at Rosslyn plant
2024
Stellantis invests in plant in Coega SEZ
Volkswagen Group Africa produces 1.5-millionth Polo GTI for export
ELIDZ has developed a tailored operational solution for the automotive industry, which includes easy access to top automotive component suppliers, a cutting-edge logistics system, and a modern vehicle storage facility. Credit: ELIDZ
Acid mine water is one of the many environmental challenges faced by resource-rich Mpumalanga. Daily Maverick puts the number of “abandoned, ownerless or derelict mines” across South Africa above 6 000. In 2022 one of these, Khwezela Colliery at Kromdraai, experienced what the current owners describe as an “uncontrolled release of mine-impacted water” which led to severe environmental damage downstream.
This mine was among the package of coal assets purchased from Anglo American by Thungela Resources, a multi-phase deal which was finalised in 2022.
The pollution plume affected approximately 60km of river ecosystem, threatened aquatic life and created risks for local communities. Since then, Thungela has invested approximately R1-billion in various activities. These include:
Active treatment plant: R380-million
Wetlands: R80-million
Passive treatment plant: R18-million
Kromdraai Phytoremediation Project: R2-million
Construction of nursery: R4.1-million
Loskop fish breeding facility: R3.3-million
Addressing illegal mining: +R500-million
Dongalocks: R20-million
Dongalock is an environmentally friendly technology used in wetland and river rehabilitation programmes to manage the risk of stormwater damage and flooding in vulnerable areas and passive-water treatment projects.
The Council for Geoscience has highlighted the dangers that oil and rock subsidence above abandoned coal mines carry, especially in the Witbank area. Not only can sinkholes occur but water movement channels can be materially altered, leading to unexpected events.
Exxaro has spent R3-billion on creating a digital twin of its Belfast mine in Mpumalanga. Using the example of Exxaro, two authors from financial services company Mazars have outlined the benefits of using AI-powered technology in mining. They argue that digital twin enables an innovative approach to mining and can create a safer and more efficient environment.
Predictive maintenance, improved productivity and the elimination of downtime are further concrete benefits that will come with the increasing adoption of AI. The Mazars authors state that a recent survey conducted by the Minerals Council South Africa showed that more half of its members are already piloting various AI-powered tools while another 25% are looking to do so in the next five years.
The acquisition of the liquidated Mintails operations will increase Pan African Pan African Resources’ gold production by about 50 000oz once steady production is reached at the end of 2024. The company currently has production capacity in excess of 200 000oz of gold per annum. R400-million of a R2.5-billion funding arrangement was released by Rand Merchant Bank in March 2023.
Loadshedding in 2023 slowed the process of getting the Barberton operations running at optimum levels. The company reported in May of that year that it had lost 10 000oz worth of production because of power cuts. Tests are proving that the decision to extend deep mining at Barberton was correct. Pan African Resources reports “potential high-grade extensions to the orebodies at Fairview, Royal Sheba and Consort mines”.
Contribution
Mining contributes 25.9% of the province’s gross domestic product and employs more than 53 000 people. Mpumalanga accounts for 83% of South Africa’s coal production and is the third-largest coal-exporting region in the world. Although renewable energy is catching on in South Africa, there is no prospect of Mpumalanga’s coal-fired power stations being mothballed soon.
Council for Geoscience (CGS) CEO Mosa Mabuza reports that research is ongoing into finding ways to capture carbon produced at coal-burning power stations. The CGS is doing extensive research into the existing baseline environmental conditions on the ground so that future activities can be carefully monitored and measured against something concrete.
Tests done by the CGS indicate that not only are there mineral resources other than coal in the ground in Mpumalanga, but there is groundwater too.
Core samples of Mpumalanga rock are laid out for testing. Credit: Council for Geoscience
Afrimat, previously listed on the JSE in the “Construction and Building Materials” section, has changed its classification to “General Mining”, a recognition of the company’s ambitious buying programme in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga. With construction and building now contributing just 20% to operating profit, Afrimat is active in anthracite and iron ore and will further expand into phosphates, rare earth elements and vermiculite. Among its new acquisitions, Afrimat now controls the Nkomati Anthracite mine in Mpumalanga. The mine, which is in the south-eastern corner of the province, has proven resources of 8.7-million tons and upwards of 400 jobs were created over the last two years. Local communities have a 16.1% stake in the relaunched mine and the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) holds 34%.
Platinum
Platinum is an important mineral for the modern economy. Two Rivers is a joint venture between Implats (46%) and African Rainbow Minerals which is located on the southern part of the eastern limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, 35km south-west of Burgersfort in Mpumalanga. Northam Platinum, which has assets on both limbs of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, has purchased the Everest mine from Aquarius Platinum. Everest is adjacent to Northam’s existing Booysendal mine.
Jubilee Platinum has sold its Smelting and Refining business in Middelburg to Siyanda Resources. Sylvania Platinum now has seven PGM recovery plants that extract chrome from tailings on both sides of the Bushveld Igneous Complex.
Lydenburg is home to the Lion ferrochrome smelter that is a joint venture between Glencore and Merafe Resources. Assmang, the joint venture between ARM Ferrous and the JSE-listed Assore, operates a chrome mine (Dwarsrivier) and a ferrochrome plant where chrome alloys are made.
Mining Sector Resources
Council for Geoscience: www.geoscience.org.za
Minerals Council South Africa: www.mineralscouncil.org.za
South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: www.saimm.co.za
For how much longer will South Africans be digging up coal? Credit: Thungela Resources
Where is South Africa on its journey to sustainable energy? Where does the coal-mining sector fit in? A Coal & Energy Transition Day was held for the sixth time in Johannesburg in July 2024 where many issues were debated. Reflecting on the burning issues of sustainability and the coal-mining sector, Arjen de Bruin, Group CEO at OIM Consulting wrote this reflection on the current state of play in South Africa.
The discussion around sustainability and coal mining continues to ramp up as the sector grapples with the desire and the responsibility to lower its carbon footprint, but not to lose its very reason for existence.
Green gung-ho
I would wager that all shareholders across every mining or manufacturing company in South Africa understand the onus on their business to “go green”, a broad term that essentially encompasses lowering one’s carbon footprint, seeking and utilising renewable energy sources, environmental conservation, recycling, waste reduction and more.
Yet in recent times, our initial “green gung-ho” approach seems to have slowed down. We still want to do this, but now we’re realising that the shift to go green may not be as rapid as we initially envisioned.
Is this because we’ve stopped caring? Most certainly not. I would say that now more than ever, business leaders recognise their moral imperative to wholeheartedly embed ESG principles – in both letter and spirit – into their operations.
Rather, and after an especially turbulent few years, we’ve come to realise that going green is a marathon, not a sprint, and to become meaningfully sustainable, we need to do this… well, sustainably.
It’s a conundrum that many markets, especially those with the prefix “developing”, face: how do we transition to renewable energy while not wiping out entire sectors that not only bolster our economy and contribute to our GDP but are also responsible for the employment of so many people?
While the first world talks about global renewable energy imperatives, the developing world believes that it’s unfair for them to bear the cost burden of this eagerness. “You’ve had your inexpensive fossil fuels and thrived. Now that you’ve decided to transition to pricey renewables, you want us to immediately join the party when we’re barely struggling to get by!” seems to be the sentiment.
Particularly since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the price of numerous raw materials has increased as manufacturing supply chains suffered blow after blow. Locally, loadshedding, political turbulence and rail and port issues only compounded the cost burden, making green initiatives – while important for the future – not quite as important as keeping one’s head above water right now.
And this applies to both business and consumer. In South Africa, the majority of citizens live on the breadline, making them extremely cost-conscious. I will put my neck out and say that aside from a small percentage of wealthy citizens, most South Africans cannot afford an expensive solar setup or going off the grid, and they’re not particularly concerned with the energy transition. They just want affordable, uninterrupted electricity.
Going green is a marathon, not a sprint. This hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle shows the direction of travel. Credit: Anglo American
Raked over the coals
You’ve no doubt seen the turn of this tide, even in first-world countries. Politicians are starting to backtrack on their green goals, such as former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who last year said that Britain will soften policies aimed at achieving net-zero-carbon emissions by 2050, and instead pursue a “pragmatic” approach to hitting target. And while Sunak’s shifting stance was hotly debated, more nuance to the green conversation is needed.
By way of example, Australia produces coal for Indonesia, a developing country still reliant on fossil fuels. Say Australia was to decide from that day forward, it will no longer produce coal. Not only will it lose the revenue and employment, but will it stop Indonesia from using coal? No, Indonesia will simply buy it elsewhere. And that elsewhere will likely be further afield, meaning that Indonesia’s carbon footprint will increase and its cost burden will grow, which will have an environmental ripple effect.
So, while Australia’s reduced carbon footprint might look impressive, it’s not really making things better unless the change is considered holistically and executed sustainably.
Arjen de Bruin, Group CEO at OIM Consulting
Mining the future
Change will happen more gradually than we initially anticipated, but it will happen.
Mines have already put environmental frameworks in place, and most are already using renewables to power their operations. There are sustainability programmes and initiatives to mitigate environmental impact. And mines know that they also need to equip workers for the future.
Currently, there are around 80 000 jobs linked to coal mines and 170 000 in ancillary industries. Although in the short term we may not move away from coal in a hurry, this is still a huge workforce that will need to be reskilled to become proficient in renewables. Change is never easy for people and this will take time.
As we saw with the mechanisation of mines, you can install powerful technology but if your workers are not aligned with your mission or don’t buy into the need for change, you will struggle to leverage the benefits that technology affords or to truly modernise your mines.
As organisational improvement consultants with our core expertise within the mining sector, we’re saying to our clients: make sure you take your people along with you on this journey.
The 18th Annual ICT Summit concluded with resounding success at the East London International Convention Centre, uniting industry leaders, government officials, and technology innovators to chart the future of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in South Africa and beyond.
In a powerful opening address, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane underscored the urgent need for innovation and inclusivity in the province’s digital transformation journey, setting a bold tone for the Summit.
Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele from the Department of Communications and Technology echoed this call, outlining national strategies aimed at enhancing connectivity and driving technological progress. He emphasized the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in promoting digital inclusion across the nation.
Highlighting a commitment to policy reform, Mr. Mbulelo Sogoni, Director-General of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, affirmed efforts to improve ICT accessibility for underserved communities.
One of the Summit’s standout moments came from award-winning designer Magadla Ngxokolo, who captivated attendees with his vision for a future where fashion and technology intersect. “In the future, we will see clothing stitched together with technology, redefining how we interact with apparel and design,” he predicted.
Ms. Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association of Communications & Technology, addressed the evolving ICT policy framework, calling for cooperation among stakeholders to ensure a more equitable and digitally inclusive South Africa.
Discussions also revolved around the impact of ICT on media, the future of e-commerce, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT.
Eastern Cape authorities highlighted the necessity of extending digital access to rural communities, a sentiment that resonated strongly among Summit attendees. The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both public and private sectors to leverage technology for meaningful change.
The 18th Annual ICT Summit reaffirmed the Eastern Cape’s burgeoning role as a hub for technological innovation, fostering a collaborative environment for ideas that promise to reshape the digital landscape of South Africa.
Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga recently celebrated its one-year anniversary with two awards from Durban Tourism.
The countdown begins. The tourism and hospitality sectors are invited to participate in the 4th annual Durban Tourism Business Awards, which recognize business excellence, resilience and innovation within the industry. Entries opened today, 22 November, and will close on 23 February 2024.
To start the entry process, all tourism businesses with the eThekwini Municipality please follow this link: https://durbantourismawards.com. You will receive an automated email response confirming your successful online entry.
Participants have the opportunity to win development prizes to help elevate their businesses. All category top winners will receive up to R50,000 in cash, while winners of the exceptional achievement category will be awarded R100,000 to attend an international tourism exhibition or study tour. The first runner-up will receive R35,000, and the second runner-up will receive R25,000.
Previous winners have praised the awards as an excellent platform for promoting their businesses, offering extensive marketing opportunities, including free advertising and additional support.
Award categories include:
1. Service Excellence Category, featuring the following subcategories:
Accommodations Awards: Hotels and non-hotels
MESE Awards: Meetings, exhibitions, and special events venues
Visitor Experiences Awards: Scenic beauty, roots and culture, adventure activities, wildlife, lifestyle, beach experiences, and luxury
Tourist Guides Awards: Nature guides, adventure guides, and culture guides
Tour Operators Awards: Emerging and established tour operators
Rickshaw Pullers
Crafters
Event Organizers and Promoters
2. Sustainable Development Category, recognizing those promoting universal accessibility and green tourism products, as defined by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
3. Entrepreneurship Category, which celebrates emerging tourism entrepreneurs, particularly black-owned small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) tourism establishments that have achieved significant success since inception.
4. Upcoming Filmmakers Category, honoring unique and impactful individuals and organizations that have produced, scripted, and directed films showcasing Durban as a premier destination in the last five years.
5. Exceptional Achievement Category, recognizing globally renowned companies that enhance visitor flow to the city, contribute to job creation, and maintain competitiveness. This category includes five subcategories:
Investment
Hospitality
Rural and Township Investment Development
Creative Industries
Contributions by Persons with Disabilities in the sector.
To maintain integrity of the awards, there will be a thorough tabulation and audit of the businesses. This will be followed by a public voting phase to raise awareness of local tourism products.
The final stage involves an independent panel of judges visiting nominated businesses to assess them.
Community tourism organizations, industry stakeholders, and the public are encouraged to identify and motivate tourism businesses in their areas to enter the awards.
For more information, please email: info@durbantourismawards.com or call 031 322 4164. You can also visit www.durbantourismawards.com or follow @DBNTourism on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Fairtrade Africa, in partnership with Fairtrade Deutschland, recently organized a press trip to three Fairtrade-certified flower farms in Kenya. Credit: Fairtrade Africa
In support of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Fairtrade Africa is shining a much-needed spotlight on gender equality and human rights in agriculture with their powerful ‘Be Fair Right Now’ initiative, urging South Africans to harness their consumer power in support of ethical, fair practices.
As the backbone of food production and guardians of environmental sustainability, women make up 60% of the global agricultural labour force and are responsible for half of the world’s food production.
The Be Fair Right Now initiative, runs in conjunction with the 16 Days of Activism—International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women—from 25 November until 10 December 2024, and focuses around the crucial yet often overlooked role of rural women in agriculture.
“Women bring invaluable expertise to agriculture—managing natural resources, adapting to climate challenges, and ensuring food security for their communities,” said Sandra Ndlovu, Regional Communications Officer, Southern Africa Network at Fairtrade Africa. “Yet despite these contributions, they face systemic barriers like limited land ownership, restricted access to financing, and entrenched social discrimination. Women in farming often work significantly more hours than men yet face far greater obstacles. Fairness in agriculture is about more than fair wages; it is about empowering the women who are essential to our food systems, climate solutions, and communities. By uplifting rural women, we move closer to a truly sustainable future.”
This initiative brings gender equality in agriculture to the forefront, highlighting how systemic issues affecting females in farming are not only impacting individual progress, but that of local communities and the entire world.
Sandra Ndlovu, Regional Communications Officer, Southern Africa Network at Fairtrade Africa.
Through collective consumer action, Fairtrade Africa aims to address these challenges, promoting fair wages, equal resource access, and sustainability practices that will benefit generations to come.
Sowing the seeds of equality
In South Africa, an increasing number of women are entering the farming and agribusiness sectors.
Now in its second year, the ‘Be Fair Right Now’ initiative invites South Africans to rethink their buying choices to support gender fairness, environmental sustainability, and climate action.
Through Fairtrade’s interactive online quiz, participants can discover the impact of their current purchases, explore practical ways to support Fairtrade-certified products, and even stand a chance to win. This campaign aims to inspire a deeper connection between consumers and the women who work tirelessly to feed the world.
To participate, South Africans can visit Fairtrade’s campaign page, take the quiz, and learn sustainable shopping tips to incorporate into daily life.
“We want South Africans to recognise their power as consumers to advocate for gender equality, human rights, and environmental responsibility. This 16 Days of Activism, let us act positively for women in agriculture, for human rights, and for a fairer, more sustainable world. Through collective responsibility and ethical choices, we have the power to be effective,” concludes Ndlovu.
The conference continue to address the persistent gender inequality in the mining industry, focusing on the underrepresentation of women and the pay disparities they face. The conference will explore the intersection of gender roles, social equity, and sustainable development, providing a platform for analysing how the industry’s male-dominant structure impacts women’s participation and advancement. It will likely seek solutions to foster greater gender inclusion and advocate for equitable treatment in mining.
What you can expert
With a total of 21 speakers who will be presenting at this conference, it promises to be one of the most informative conferences we’ve hosted to date. We are very excited to have SAICE, PRASA, Sasol Mining, Mintek, Transnet, NERSA, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), City Power, AMSCOR, Gautrain Management Agency, Anglo American, National Society of Black Engineers, Limpopo Roads Agency, the Department of Infrastructure Development, SABC, Telkom Group, Vodacom and SRS Aviation to name them.
We will unpack topics surrounding women in broadcast engineering:
Challenges and triumphs;
Developing Women-Owned Engineering Business to drive economic growth,
Innovation and Social Change;
Conversing about innovative approaches to talent management and retention: Empowering and sustaining female engineers in a competitive landscape;
Navigating career progression: Understanding promotions across lower, middle and upper management;
Integrating gender-specific ergonomics in engineering: Enhancing safety and health for women in the workplace;
Exercising emotional intelligence by acting and leading in a more effective manner;
Curving a career path as a non-engineer within the engineering sector, to a name a few.
Attend this conference and get an opportunity to interact with industry leaders, improve your knowledge and create networks.
The 3rd Energy Storage Systems (ESS) Conference convenes in Johannesburg on the 28th and 29th of November 2024. The Conference brings together stakeholders in the energy storage sector to discuss ESS options, the legal framework, network and market access, and financing.
Delegates will find themselves better positioned to take part in the rapid investment in ESS projects across South Africa, in support of a secure and clean energy future.
Our 2024 Conference builds on the success of last year’s event and our full industry support, while looking towards emerging opportunities in the sector. This includes the rapid development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), noted for their flexibility and relatively low cost. The Conference will also address emerging priorities for energy storage technologies, the latest advancements and the future of the industry.
The ESS sector generates an estimated R18-billion in annual revenue with the capacity to create upwards of 60 000 new job opportunities.
Women-owned conference company Pinpoint Stewards are gathering leaders in Government and SOE’s at the end of November to Develop, Unite and Empower – it’s DUE!
To ensure more women are able to join the leadership conference, the organisers are meeting Treasury expenditure restriction by adjusting industry pricing to make it possible. “Rather than going across borders to gain key leadership traits, the event will be hosted at the NH Hotel in Sandton on 26 & 27 November with women from all spheres of Government joining hands right here,” says owner Sudhira Sewsunker.
Two Deputy Minister, Honourable Phumzile Mgcina, Deputy Minister, National Department of Labour (RSA) and Honourable Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister, Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment (RSA) will join the forum.
The 10-strong panel of speakers also include:
Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, MEC for Roads and Transport, Gauteng
Adv Millicent Malebye, Chief Director: Labour Relations Improvement, Office of the Public Service Commission
Lt Gen Khosi Senthumule, Divisional Commissioner, Detective and Forensic Services (DDG), SAPS, Tumi Sedupane, Board Member, Transnet
Ugeshni Naidoo, Senior Manager: Community Safety, SALGA
Chantal Gomes, MMC – Public Safety & Roads, Midvaal Local Municipality
Pfumelani Mbulayeni, Managing Director, PM Aviation and
Beke Moloi, GM learning and development from Eskom will also be sharing her leadership journey and inspire women to raise their hand to lead.
Beneficiaries for this year’s conference are Salvation Army and Survivor Exit Foundation. Both organisations fight against sexual exploitation of women and human-trafficking. A percentage of profits will be donated to their cause.
Meeting restrictions: When registering 5 or more delegates the cost will be R5000 per delegate for two-days, which include a welcome hamper, teas, sit-down lunches and reserved seating. Registrations need to be finalized before 13 November.
To register, host a table or support women leadership email info@pinpointstewards.co.za or visit www.pinpointstewards.co.za
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