Star 2024-08-19

A PARTNERSHIP between the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) and mining and metals company South32, the 26th NSTF-South32 Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the fields of science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation. It has evolved to be the largest and most prestigious public SET and innovation awards in South Africa, and is often referred to as the “science Oscars”. The NSTF-South32 Awards have been endorsed and supported by the Department of Science and Innovation since 2020. It is a celebration of South African ingenuity and excellence through this flagship project of the NSTF. The gala evening took place on Thursday, July 11 and was live-streamed from Johannesburg and Cape Town. The NSTF-South32 Awards digital magazine celebrates the achievements of some of South Africa’s most tenacious scientists and big thinkers.…

South African currency and stock markets ended on a high note on Friday as the rand surged to its highest in a year while stocks reached a record high as investors flocked to gold, pushing the price of the yellow metal to record highs. The rand strengthened to R17.87 against the US dollar on Friday afternoon, its highest in 12 months, bolstered by receding concerns over a potential recession in the US and prospects of global interest-rate cuts in the coming months. Over the past four weeks, the dollar has lost 1.87% compared to the rand, and 6.24% in the last 12 months. Nedbank economist Isaac Matshego said market sentiment continued to be driven by easing concerns of a potential recession in the world’s largest economy following a string of…

South Africa has recommitted itself to industrialisation, re-industrialisation, transformation, and establishing a capable state through economic growth based on constitutional principles aimed at building a better future for all. This was the message from Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau on Friday, during his virtual participation in the meeting of BRICS ministers of industry. The gathering was part of a series of BRICS meetings that Russia is hosting in preparation for the BRICS Summit that takes place in Kazan, Russia, in October. Tau said South Africa must look towards the future of industry to ensure its economy was future-proof. “To address historical structural inequalities, unemployment and poverty, there is a consensus among the social partners that we have to mobilise all our resources and efforts in economic activities intended…

South Africa will once again scramble to purchase mpox vaccines amid “vaccine apartheid” as President Cyril Ramaphosa at the weekend urged the international community, partners, and organisations to mobilise stockpiles of vaccines and other medical countermeasures for deployment in Africa amid an outbreak of the disease. This mobilisation needs to be co- ordinated via mechanisms established by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure equitable distribution and transparency. Mpox is a viral infection characterised by painful lesions. It is spread by direct contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated items like clothing or bedding. Ramaphosa, speaking in his role as African Union (AU) Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, said on Saturday that Africa required robust support in funding, research, and the sharing of technologies,…

The High Commissioner Designate to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, said last night that two-way trade between India and South Africa has the potential to grow to $25 billion (R446.3bn) from the current $19bn in a short period. India is SA’s fourth-largest trade partner as the sub-continent exports about $5.3bn in goods and services to this country annually, said Sooklal, speaking to Business Report ahead of the official launch of the India South Africa Chamber of Commerce (ISACC). Sooklal said he believed that the new chamber could boost trade between the countries, especially when it came to creating awareness of the opportunities that partnerships with India afforded. India and South Africa have had diplomatic relationships for 30 years. There are more than 130 Indian companies in SA that collectively employ more…

Sunny skies, braais, the bush, the people and South Africa’s “soul” are some of the reasons why South Africans are returning home from various countries, such as the UK, after the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU). These are among sentiments expressed in queries sent to estate agents at a time when local property prices are increasing at a rate below inflation. As one expat told Business Report: “I want my soul to be alive again.” Others said: “It’s just a feeling and a vibe I can’t put into words.” Another noted that South Africa’s food, people, diversity and nature were also reasons for returning. Currently, property inflation is at 3.5% year-on-year across the country, based on the latest Statistics South Africa figures to March. CPI is 5.1%.…