South Africa doesn’t just need more entrepreneurs, it needs better entrepreneurs – South Africa’s unemployment crisis requires the creation of jobs – and rapidly. To this end, numerous entrepreneurship programmes have been implemented by both the public and private sectors, and these have led to some increase in the number of small businesses opening. Despite this, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2011 Report, South Africa remains one of the more poorly-performing countries with regards to entrepreneurial activity. South Africa’s Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA – the portion of the population involved in the early stages of entrepreneurship) in 2011... Continue Reading
Maersk Line South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of the world’s largest container shipping company, sees a moderate trade growth for the country in 2013 after a challenging 2012, this despite significant socio-economic challenges in the local market, including the impact of industrial action in the mining and agricultural sectors during the second half of last year, and a decline in consumer spending on the back of rising fuel, transportation, electricity and food costs. “The 2012 financial year was definitely a tale of two halves,” says Jonathan Horn, Managing Director of Maersk Line South Africa. “While the first half of... Continue Reading
International Conference Centre, Accra, Ghana – 27 February 2013; PennWell Corporation and Offshore West Africa Conference & Exhibition are pleased to announce the confirmation of three West African Ministers to present at the upcoming Conference Opening Keynote, taking place on Tuesday 19th March 2013. As part of the Opening Keynote Session, there will be Ministry Welcomes from Hon. Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah‐Kofi Buah, Republic of Ghana; His Excellency Mr. José Botelho de Vasconcelos, Minster of Petroleum, Republic of Angola; and Mr. Adama Toungara, Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. Taking place at the International Conference Centre,... Continue Reading
By Nawa Mutumweno – The Zambian government has halted the $500 million ultra-modern housing scheme currently being carried out by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) in the mining town of Solwezi. Minister of Lands and Environment Wilbur Simuusa announced recently during a meeting called to chart the way forward for the Kalumbila Mining Project that the decision was arrived at due to ‘’a lot of illegality’’ going on at the project area which he, however, did not elaborate. He directed that the project should be reviewed very clearly to satisfy Government’s concerns before it could be continued. ‘’We are not saying... Continue Reading
By Nawa Mutumweno – Zambia Sugar produces 1.9 million tons of cane from its own operations and 1.6 million tons of cane from independent outgrowers, totalling 3.5 million tons of cane; 400 000 tons of sugar; 120 000 tons of molasses; and 40 MW of power generated from a renewable energy source (bagasse). A statement obtained from the company says it sells 150 000 tons of sugar per annum into the domestic market and 250 000 tons of sugar per annum into the regional and European markets, generating the much-needed foreign exchange for the country. ‘’Zambia Sugar endeavours to contribute... Continue Reading
