November 11, 2022 - First Africa guide

Agriculture NEWS

Agricultural machinery: High demand on the world market

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The Agricultural equipment sales have maintained good levels over the past two and a half years, characterised by the severe economic crises following the Covid pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine. In the nine months from January to September 2022, the market remained at higher volumes than before the 2020 pandemic, although between the end of this year and the first part of 2023 the sector is set to be affected by inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. Positive outlook for the coming years, in response to the growing demand…

Agriculture NEWS

‘Tractor sales soar as farmers recover from drought’

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Although the tractor sales figures for October released by the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) on Monday (7 November) were the highest in 40 years, this was probably based on “necessity, rather than extravagance”, according to Derek Matthews, chairperson of Grain SA, who said that “after several years of drought, many farmers had delayed replacing tractors.” According to SAAMA, a record number of 1 268 new tractors were sold for the month of October, which was about 48% more than the 856 units sold in October 2021. At 7 747 units,…

National

KZN roadworks and fireworks: SANRAL clarifies awarding of multi-billion rand tenders to foreign bidders

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THE South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to clarify its position on the recent award of tenders adjudicated by the Development Bank of Southern Africa, following the emergence of a negative narrative with regard to Chinese investment into South Africa. Firstly, it should be noted that South African law does not prohibit any foreign company from doing business in the country. Secondly, SANRAL does not at its discretion, choose who it awards tenders to. It is compelled by law to award to any entity whose performance in…

National

SANRAL snub: Civils body questions multi-billion rand tenders

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THE South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is deeply concerned by the recent awarding of tenders by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to joint ventures led by foreign companies. Four of the five tenders, that were cancelled in June 2022, were awarded following an evaluation process conducted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Significant concerns raised by SAICE have been detailed in a letter to the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and are summarised as follows: Were there no South African companies capable of…

GROUNDBREAKING

Iamgold records highest quarterly production

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Iamgold has announced an improvement in 2022 production and cost guidance. Chairperson and interim CEO Maryse Belanger noted the firm reported its highest quarterly production in more than two-and-a-half years. IAMGOLD is a mid-tier gold mining company operating in North America, South America and West Africa. The Company has three operating mines: Essakane (Burkina Faso), Rosebel (Suriname) and Westwood (Canada), and is building the large-scale, long life Côté Gold project (Canada) which is expected to commence production in early 2024. In addition, the Company has a robust development and exploration portfolio…

GROUNDBREAKING

Kenya set for sharing of mining royalties to counties

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The government of Kenya is set distribute mining royalties to counties. Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed the report and said they are in the final stages of making regulations that will guide on the sharing process. CS Mvurya noted that the Mining Act 2016 directed that revenue from minerals was to be shared between the national government, the county government and community living in the mining areas with each getting 70, 20 and ten percent respectively. “My team is finalising a few grey areas…

Logistics -Transportation

Dongfeng New Trucks KL, KR Unveiled in Vietnam, Starting a New Journey Overseas

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Dongfeng ,held a grand launch conference of DONGFENG KL and DONGFENG KR in Da Nang, Vietnam, at which the two trucks were launched. Vietnam is an important partner of “the Belt and Road Initiative” and an extremely important overseas market for Dongfeng. Considering the characteristics of the Vietnamese market and customer demand, Dongfeng continuously upgraded technology, products, marketing and service, and fully introduced the newly developed DONGFENG KL and DONGFENG KR, which are safe, reliable, economical, efficient, intelligent and comfortable, into the Vietnamese market. Dongfeng New Trucks KL, KR Unveiled…

Tourism-Hospitality

Namibia’s cruising sector picks up pace

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The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) is expecting 22 passenger cruise vessels to dock at the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz respectively, over November and December. The first of these, MS AIDAaura – operated by the German-owned AIDA Cruises – will call at Walvis Bay today (Thursday, November 10). The 48 200-tonne, 1 600-passenger ship became the first cruise ship to call at the Port of Walvis Bay on January 2, 2020. AIDAaura is currently on a 27-day one-way cruise from Bremerhaven to Cape Town. The vessel set sail from Banjul in Gambia on…

Tourism-Hospitality

Lodge group opens first Zambian property

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Tintswalo – which has several luxury lodges in its stable – has crossed borders for the first time with the opening of Tintswalo at Siankaba in Zambia. Situated on two densely forested islands in the Zambezi River, the luxury tented camp is ideally placed 38km from Victoria Falls and 48km from Chobe National Park, providing convenient access to some of the region’s top tourist attractions. Lisa Goosen, CEO of Tintswalo Lodges, said: “Zambia is a country full of wonder, which is mirrored at Siankaba with a guest experience that centres on the local…