“Paper recycling – whether at home, work or school – can only be successful if it is actively separated from wet waste after use,” says Samantha Choles, communications manager for the Paper and Allied Manufacturers of South Africa (PAMSA). 

“Paper is absorbent, and its fibres start to break down when exposed to moisture, oils or food waste. This makes it less suitable for the paper recycling process,” she explains.

As South Africa marks National Recycling Day on 18 September, PAMSA reports that the country’s recycling rate stands at 63% of the available volumes of recyclable paper. While this is slightly above the global average, this leaves room for improvement. 

Although informal collectors also contribute significantly to South Africa’s paper recycling success story, they often have to retrieve recyclable items from domestic rubbish bins. “This means that the paper products are contaminated by food waste and liquids, resulting in less income for a collector at a buy-back centre,” explains Choles.

There are several reasons why recycling is important, not least the need to divert recyclable paper and packaging from landfills for use as a raw material in the production of tissue and packaging such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, takeaway coffee cup holders and egg boxes. 

Recyclable paper includes office paper, cardboard boxes in countless forms as well as other packaging products such as grocery bags, newspaper, magazines and even the quintessential tube from an empty toilet paper roll. 

PAMSA offers some advice to up your recycling game:

1. Know which paper products can and cannot be recycled.
   • Recyclable: paper packaging; liquid board packaging (milk and juice cartons, paper cups); newspaper, brochures and magazines; office paper, telephone directories, paper giftwrap, damaged books that are not suitable for donation.
   • Not recyclable: wet or dirty cardboard (e.g. paper plates), tissues and paper towels, nappies, sticky notes, wax- or foil-lined boxes, cement bags, dog food bags, laminated paper.
2. Make sure these items are not put into general waste by educating family, friends and colleagues.
3. Use a large waterproof bag or container when you empty these bins.
4. Keep plastic, glass and can recycling separate from your paper, as these items may still contain liquids.
5. Put your recycling collection out on your pavement, or where it is easy for a collector to access.
6. Place multiple bins around the house, your workplace or a school where you are most likely to throw paper away: in kitchens, bathrooms (for toothpaste boxes and toilet roll cores), at your desk and in the classroom.

By adopting a few simple habits, we can all help make a big difference to South Africa’s recycling culture.

But behind the headline sit some much bigger questions for banks, investors, asset managers, insurers, CFOs, treasury professionals and business leaders.

Who decides what qualifies as sustainable? How should sustainability performance influence credit risk and the cost of capital? How reliable and comparable are ESG ratings? And, ultimately, who rates the raters?

These are exactly the kinds of questions that will be put on the table at the Sustainability and ESG Africa Conference, taking place on 30 September and 1 October 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

As South Africa looks towards the next generation of sustainable finance, the conference will bring together leaders from business, finance, investment and sustainability to examine not simply whether ESG matters but how sustainability is influencing risk, investment decisions, access to capital and long-term economic value. “This is where the sustainability conversation is increasingly becoming a business conversation”, says Kudzayi Mazikana, Head of Sustainability at Nedbank Business and Commercial Banking. “For businesses, the question is no longer simply how they report on sustainability, but how issues such as energy, water, resource efficiency, and climate resilience affect competitiveness, operating costs, risk and ultimately capital.”

A potential new chapter for South African sustainable finance

National Treasury is reportedly laying the groundwork for a debut sovereign green bond, potentially within the fiscal year ending March 2027, subject to factors including the availability of an appropriate project pipeline and market conditions.

The potential issuance comes against an enormous financing requirement.

South Africa is estimated to require approximately R3.7 trillion between 2026 and 2035 to support climate mitigation and adaption. That capital needs to come from somewhere. ”The scale of the requirement is significant, but South Africa’s transition will not be financed through sovereign funding, capital markets and large infrastructure projects alone”, says Kudzayi Mazikana. “A meaningful part of the transition will ultimately take place in the real economy, through investment decisions made by businesses around energy, water, production systems, resource efficiency and resilience.”

Government cannot finance the transition alone. Banks, institutional investors, pension funds, development finance institutions and private capital will all have an increasingly important role to play.

A sovereign green bond could therefore represent much more than a new government funding instrument. It is another indication that sustainability considerations are moving closer to the heart of capital allocation and financial decision-making.

And South Africa’s private financial sector has already begun demonstrating what this evolution could look like.

From sustainability ambition to sustainable capital

In 2019, Nedbank became the first South African commercial bank to launch a green bond on the JSE, raising R1.7 billion to fund renewable-energy projects.

Since then, sustainable finance has expanded considerably, encompassing green and sustainable bonds, sustainability-linked loans and other financial instruments designed to connect funding with environmental and social outcomes.

Mazikana says that the next evolution is increasingly about connecting those financing mechanisms to measurable business outcomes. “For a commercial business, sustainability becomes particularly relevant when an investment can strengthen resilience, improve efficiency, or address a material risk. The financing conversation then becomes much more tangible.

That brings us to one of the most challenging issues facing the ESG and sustainable finance ecosystem.

Who decides what is credible?

ESG ratings and credit ratings can influence how markets understand companies, governments, investments and risk. Yet ESG ratings in particular have attracted considerable scrutiny internationally because different providers can reach very different conclusions about the same organisation.

Part of the challenge lies in the way these assessments are made. Methodologies, indicators, weightings and data sources can vary significantly between providers, as can interpretations of what constitutes material ESG risk. The result is that an organisation may perform strongly according to one assessment and considerably less favourably according to another.

For investors deciding where and how to allocate capital, these differences matter. They also matter for companies seeking to understand how their sustainability performance is being interpreted by markets and how those perceptions could influence investment, financing and risk decisions.

For African economies, the stakes are potentially even higher. The continent is competing for global capital at the same time as it requires significant investment in infrastructure, climate resilience, the energy transition and sustainable development. If assessments of risk and sustainability can influence investor confidence and potentially the cost and availability of capital, then understanding how those assessments are reached becomes increasingly important.

Which raises a deliberately provocative question:

Who rates the raters?

At the Sustainability and ESG Africa Conference, this question will be tackled directly in the session:

Who Rates the Raters? ESG Scores, Credit Risk and the Power of Rating Agencies

The debate will ask whether rating agencies are helping markets price sustainability risk properly — or whether inconsistent scoring, opaque methodologies and commercial incentives risk distorting investment and financing decisions.

Joining the discussion will be:

• Ted Maselesele, Treasurer, African Credit Rating Association & and
• Obed Mbuzi, Vice President, African Credit Rating Association

Their participation also introduces another important dimension to the conversation:

Who decides what deserves the money?;These aren’t theoretical ESG questions anymore. They are financial questions.

From ESG reporting to financial performance

This shift sits at the heart of the Sustainability and ESG Africa Conference 2026.Across two days, the programme moves the sustainability conversation beyond reporting and compliance to examine its relationship with capital, competitiveness, resilience, risk and business value.

South Africa’s proposed sovereign green bond makes that conversation particularly timely.

On 30 September and 1 October 2026, the Sustainability and ESG Africa Conference will bring these conversations into one room at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Apart from two days of conference content with over 100 leading industry speakers, the event will also host the 4th edition of the ESG Student Innovation Competition, the Beyond Awards, the Sustainability Exhibition, and the 5th edition of the YES ESG Awards, recognising the youth and celebrating sustainability and ESG excellence in Africa. On the first morning, top corporate leaders will join the Leadership Summit, and the second morning will host the 2nd edition of the SMME Summit. Two days of learning, inspiration, and networking.

It is no longer simply what is your ESG Score but questions like what does your score actually tell us and can markets trust it and what does it mean for risk, investment and insurers.

To register as a delegate or learn more, visit www.esgafricaconference.com or contact Hannelie Bennett at hannelie@esgafricaconference.com.

South Africa is racing against time to secure its future gas supply, with the looming “gas cliff” presenting a significant risk to industrial production, investment, employment and the country’s broader economic competitiveness.

The issue will take centre stage at the Africa Gas Forum, taking place alongside the Africa Energy Indaba 2027 from 2–4 March 2027 at the CTICC in Cape Town, where industry leaders, government, gas producers, infrastructure developers, investors and major energy users will examine the practical steps required to move South Africa from gas supply risk towards long-term energy security.

Among the speakers addressing the critical discussion “South Africa’s Gas Cliff – From Supply Risk to a Secure Gas Future” will be Jaco Human, Executive Officer of the Industrial Gas Users Association of Southern Africa (IGUA-SA).

The clock is ticking 

South Africa has historically relied heavily on natural gas supplied from Mozambique’s Pande and Temane fields. As those supplies decline, the country faces the challenge of establishing alternative sources of gas quickly enough to protect major industrial users.  Sasol has announced plans to provide methane-rich gas from its Secunda operations as a temporary bridging solution from July 2028 to June 2030, intended to provide additional time for the transition towards LNG as a longer-term supply solution.

However, IGUA-SA has warned that the bridge does not remove the fundamental challenge facing the country. Long-term security will require coordinated action across government and industry, together with investment in LNG import capacity, pipelines, storage and associated gas infrastructure.

IGUA-SA’s updated Gas Roadmap has called for gas supply, LNG terminals, pipelines, storage and gas-to-power infrastructure to be treated as strategic national economic infrastructure, alongside stronger public-private coordination to accelerate implementation.

Gas Security is an Industrial Issue 

The gas cliff is about far more than energy supply.

Natural gas is an important input for major sectors of the South African economy, including manufacturing, mining, steel, glass, chemicals, petrochemicals, food processing and paper.  A failure to secure affordable and reliable replacement gas therefore has implications for industrial production, jobs, investment and South Africa’s ability to remain internationally competitive.

The challenge is also one of timing. Major gas infrastructure cannot be developed overnight. LNG import facilities, pipeline infrastructure, storage, financing arrangements, regulatory approvals and long-term offtake agreements all require coordination and investment.

The decisions being taken now will determine whether South Africa moves through the coming transition with secure gas supplies – or simply postpones the cliff.

From Crises to Opportunity 

The Africa Gas Forum discussion will move beyond identifying the problem to focus on the solutions required to establish a secure, competitive and sustainable gas market.

Key questions will include:

• Where will South Africa’s gas come from after 2030?
• Can LNG provide the long-term solution, and what infrastructure must be developed now?
• How can industrial demand be aggregated to underpin commercially viable gas imports and infrastructure?
• What role should government play in enabling and de-risking the required investment?
• How should gas-to-power and industrial gas demand be coordinated?
• What financing and guarantee mechanisms will be required to unlock new infrastructure?
• Can regional gas resources and infrastructure create a more integrated Southern African gas market?

And critically:

Can South Africa turn the gas cliff from an industrial threat into an opportunity to build a more competitive and diversified gas market?

Jaco Human brings the Industrial user Perspective 

As Executive Officer of IGUA-SA, Jaco Human represents an organisation focused on the interests of large-scale industrial gas users in Southern Africa and has been one of the most prominent voices warning about the economic consequences of failing to address the country’s future gas requirements.

IGUA-SA’s Gas Roadmap argues that South Africa requires immediate political sponsorship and coordinated action between government, industry, gas suppliers, infrastructure developers and financiers if the country is to establish a sustainable gas supply beyond the current bridging arrangements.

Human’s participation will bring an important industrial consumer perspective to the Africa Gas Forum ensuring that discussions around gas resources and infrastructure remain connected to the manufacturers and industries whose operations ultimately depend on reliable and competitively priced supply.

South Africa does not simply need more Gas – It needs a gas Security Strategy 

The coming years represent a critical window for South Africa.

Temporary solutions can provide additional time, but they cannot substitute for the investment, infrastructure, policy certainty and commercial agreements required to establish a sustainable long-term gas market.

The Africa Gas Forum, alongside the Africa Energy Indaba 2027, will bring together the stakeholders needed to confront these questions and explore how South Africa – and the wider Southern African region – can build a secure gas future.

South Africa remains one of Africa’s most established and diversified manufacturing economies, offering significant opportunities for companies looking to manufacture, invest, source, supply and expand across the continent.

From automotive and advanced manufacturing to food and beverage, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, metals, machinery, green technologies, marine manufacturing and agro-processing, South Africa has an industrial base that provides a powerful platform for accessing both domestic and African markets.

Manufacturing contributes approximately 13.5% of South Africa’s GDP, while the sector employed around 1.68 million people at the end of 2024. Manufacturing is also central to the country’s export economy: in 2024, manufactured goods accounted for 50.5% of South Africa’s total real exports. Yet the opportunity extends far beyond the size of the existing sector.

A Manufacturing Sector ready for new Investment

South Africa is entering a period in which localisation, supply-chain resilience, energy transformation, automation, artificial intelligence, regional trade and changing global supply chains are creating new opportunities for manufacturers and investors.

At the same time, recent economic data demonstrates why renewed investment and competitiveness are so important. South African manufacturing production declined by 1.7% year-on-year in June 2026, while manufacturing contracted by 1.8% in the second quarter of 2026.  The challenge – and the opportunity – is to unlock greater investment, improve productivity, increase localisation and strengthen South Africa’s position as a competitive manufacturing base for Africa and international markets.

The Western Cape Manufacturing Opportunity

The Western Cape provides a particularly compelling manufacturing and export proposition.

Manufacturing contributes approximately R85 billion to provincial GVA, with capabilities spanning food and beverage production, agro-processing, marine manufacturing, electronics, green technologies, pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery and advanced manufacturing. The Western Cape also accounts for approximately 70% of South Africa’s marine manufacturing capacity and ranks second globally in catamaran production. 

Investment momentum is continuing. In its 2026 State of the Province Address, the Western Cape Government highlighted a R1.8 billion manufacturing investment among projects approaching financial close and reported the creation of 13,000 new manufacturing jobs. 

Exports represent another major opportunity. Western Cape nominal exports grew by an average 6.6% per year between 2015 and 2024, while the province has set an ambitious target to increase exports to R408 billion by 2035 and generate more than 263,000 jobs through its export strategy.  

Accessing Africa from Cape Town 

For manufacturers, South Africa is not simply a domestic market.

The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is creating the framework for a more integrated African marketplace and an opportunity for manufacturers based in South Africa to access growing markets across the continent.

For Western Cape manufacturers in particular, the opportunity is to build businesses that can compete locally while increasingly supplying customers throughout Africa and internationally.  This raises an important question:

How can manufacturers, investors and policymakers turn South Africa’s industrial capability into the next generation of manufacturing growth?

Cape Town Manufacturing Summit 

The Cape Town Manufacturing Summit will bring together manufacturers, government, investors, technology providers, industrial leaders and other key stakeholders to explore the opportunities shaping the future of manufacturing in Cape Town, the Western Cape and South Africa.

The Summit will examine the practical issues determining industrial competitiveness, including:

Investment and industrial expansion • Export growth • AfCFTA and access to African markets • Localisation • Energy security • Automation and Industry 4.0 • AI and digital manufacturing • Skills development • Green manufacturing • Access to finance

The objective is clear: to connect the organisations that manufacture, invest, finance, supply, regulate and enable industry – and identify how South Africa can unlock greater manufacturing growth.

South Africa has the Industrial Base.  Africa has the Growth Opportunity.   The next step is connecting investment, technology, policy and markets.

According to the organisers, it is encouraging that a record 106 high-calibre entries were received, highlighting how the industry is rising to the challenges of keeping goods, services and essential supplies moving in an era of extraordinary supply chain disruptions. A collaboration between leading industry organisations that was launched five years ago, the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards enable essential industry collaboration, benchmarking and knowledge sharing, in addition to promoting excellence in supply chain management. “They are helping to shape the future of supply chain management in Africa,” states ASCEA director Liesl de Wet.

She explains that the event’s 11 categories cover the many disciplines that make up the supply chain profession. She notes, however, that entries are not just judged on their industry, function or chosen category, but on the supply chain excellence they demonstrate, including the scale and complexity of the challenge, the quality of the solution and clear, measurable impact.

The following organisations and projects took top honours in the different categories at ASCEA 2026:

Humanitarian and Health Supply Chain Management

Heart for Africa received the Platinum Award in this category for Project Canaan, an important initiative to improve child nutrition in rural communities with limited refrigeration and transport infrastructure.  Working with international partners, the organisation has developed a solution to extend the stable shelf life of boiled eggs and a sustainable distribution model that is getting high-quality protein to vulnerable children in remote areas.

Preservation of the Environment

Three businesses shared top honours in this category. Nebula Group (in partnership with non-profit organisation Clothes to Good), Pick n Pay and Heart for Africa all received Gold Awards.

Nebula Group and Clothes to Good have diverted more than 224 000 textile and footwear items (over 55 tonnes) from landfill. The materials are upcycled or downcycled into educational resources, assistive products like mobility aids and new manufactured goods. The programme supports children with disabilities, creates inclusive jobs and skills development opportunities for people living with disabilities and enables micro-enterprises to produce goods from recycled materials.

Pick n Pay’s Eastport Distribution Centre incorporates energy-efficient technologies, responsible resource management and environmentally conscious operating practices that reduce both environmental impact and long-term operating costs.

Heart for Africa’s Project Canaan was recognised in this category, too, for creating a closed-loop agricultural supply chain that maximises natural resources while strengthening long-term food production in water-scarce Eswatini.

Technology Information Systems and Related Fields

The eFama app was one of ASCEA’s big winners this year, taking top honours in the Technology and Information Systems category and being recognised with ASCEA’s special Garry Marshall Award for Supply Chain Excellence. This app is transforming agricultural supply chains by connecting farmers directly with commercial buyers through a digital marketplace. By removing traditional barriers between producers and customers, eFama is helping farmers boost their incomes while reducing waste and creating more predictable demand.

Garry Marshall Award for Supply Chain Excellence

The Garry Marshall Award for Supply Chain Excellence is a new addition to the ASCEA line-up. It was formerly the ASCEA Judges’ Spotlight Award but has been renamed in 2026 in honour of the late Garry Marshall, ASCEA’s dedicated head judge. Garry was a supply chain and logistics pioneer, mentor and leader whose passing in August 2026 was an enormous loss to the industry. His contributions will never be forgotten and he will be sorely missed.

End-to-End Supply Chain Excellence

Digistics won this category, receiving a Platinum Award. Their entry included impactful green transport solutions and integrated voice-directed warehouse technology integrated with the company’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) and electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) to create end-to-end visibility from receiving through to final delivery. Inventory accuracy, warehouse productivity and traceability have been improved while providing customers with greater transparency and more efficient order fulfilment.  Using detailed transport modelling and route optimisation, unnecessary travel and fuel consumption have been reduced, while fleet utilisation has improved – all alongside continued business growth.

Innovation and Change Management

This category was won by ABF Sugar, which received a Platinum Award for a programme that has redefined outbound logistics across Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa. Investments in warehouse infrastructure, modern materials handling equipment fleets, hardstands, canopies, warehouse management systems and transport management systems have improved safety, visibility, productivity and year-round operational capability.

International Trade

DP World received the Platinum Award for its contributions in Senegal, where the organisation’s operations at the Port of Dakar have done more than just improve cargo movement. Investments in port efficiency, digitalisation and stakeholder collaboration have strengthened Senegal’s position as a regional trade gateway while reducing barriers to international commerce.  An assessment found that the trade enabled through DP World’s operations supported an average annual contribution equivalent to 3.8% of Senegal’s GDP, 3.1% of national employment and 3.5% of national tax revenues.

Inventory Warehousing and Distribution Management

In their Platinum Award winning entry, Inhance Supply Chain Solutions and Tiger Brands demonstrated how an integrated Supply Chain Control Tower can deliver measurable improvements across planning, logistics, warehousing and customer service.

Procurement and Supply Management

Category winner Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) received the Gold Award for their transformation of the procurement of essential medicines through legislative reform, digital innovation, strategic sourcing and stronger collaboration with local manufacturers. 

Training and Talent Management

DHL Supply Chain and Beapo were the joint Gold Award winners of this category. Across Africa, DHL Supply Chain’s “Geared for Growth” programme is demonstrating how learning and talent development can become a strategic driver of organisational performance rather than a standalone human resources function.  With South Africa facing a growing shortage of qualified Lifting Machinery Inspectors (LMIs), Beapo united several industry role players to deliver an innovative, industry-led solution that strengthens crane safety and future technical capability.

Transport – All Modes and Intermodal

RNR app and Avemel Logistics shared first place in this category, receiving Gold Awards. By combining operational data with predictive analytics, RNR is enabling transport operators to identify recurring issues, improve maintenance planning and make more informed fleet management decisions before failures occur.  Avemel Logistics has strengthened freight movement across Southern Africa by combining integrated logistics services, specialist transport expertise and technology-driven operations. 

Supply Chain Co-ordination and Collaboration

This category was won by Inhance Supply Chain Solutions and SPAR, achieving a Gold Award for helping South African consumers to skip the aisles with the SPAR2U online grocery fulfilment solution.

The organisers have expressed their heartfelt thanks to all the ASCEA 2026 sponsors – namely Headline Sponsor Newlyn Group, Forte Supply Chain Solutions, BidAir Cargo, DP World, RFA (The Road Freight Association) and SAAFF (Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders NPC).

Rajendra Balmakhun, CEO, Newlyn Group, comments: “The winners of these awards represent the very best of what Africa’s supply-chain sector can achieve. They have taken complexity and turned it into better outcomes, proving that innovation matters, but ultimately it is execution that moves economies forward. Every bottleneck removed, every connection improved and every supply chain made more efficient strengthens our ability to trade, compete and grow. Their achievements raise the standard for all of us and, as headline sponsor of the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards, Newlyn Group is proud to shine the light on winners that demonstrate what is possible when African talent, capital and ideas are matched by a relentless focus on delivery.”

Johannesburg, South Africa – For two decades, the Smart Procurement World Indaba has been at the forefront of conversations shaping procurement and supply chain management across Africa. As the Indaba celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, one message has become impossible to ignore: the future of procurement is inseparable from sustainability.

Across the continent, businesses are facing mounting pressure from investors, customers, regulators and global supply chains to demonstrate measurable Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. Sustainability is no longer a reporting exercise or a corporate responsibility initiative; it has become a strategic business imperative that directly influences procurement decisions, investment opportunities and long-term competitiveness.

These critical conversations will take centre stage at the 6th Annual Sustainability Summit Africa, taking place on 15 September 2026 at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, co-located with the landmark 20th Annual Smart Procurement World Indaba.

Hosted in partnership with SLR, the Summit will bring together sustainability executives, procurement leaders, policymakers, ESG specialists and business decision-makers to share practical strategies for embedding sustainability into everyday business operations.

Rather than focusing solely on environmental ambition, this year’s programme is designed around execution, equipping organisations with practical tools to integrate ESG into procurement, operations, investment decisions and long-term business strategy.

“Across Africa, sustainability has become a business imperative rather than a corporate initiative,” says Debbie Tagg, CEO of Smart Procurement.

“Procurement sits at the heart of every organisation, influencing supplier relationships, operational resilience and long-term value creation. Every purchasing decision has the potential to drive environmental responsibility, economic inclusion and sustainable growth. The Sustainability Summit Africa creates a platform where leaders can move beyond conversations and leave with practical strategies they can implement immediately.”

This year’s programme explores the issues shaping Africa’s sustainability agenda through expert-led presentations, panel discussions and industry case studies.

Delegates will gain insights into: Building resilient, low-carbon supply chains that remain competitive in changing global markets. Renewable energy adoption, decarbonisation strategies and the future of sustainable business growth. ESG accountability, governance and measuring meaningful business impact and so much more.

The programme also places significant emphasis on sustainable procurement, recognising procurement professionals as key drivers of organisational transformation and responsible supply chain development. Discussions will explore how procurement decisions influence carbon reduction, supplier resilience, ethical sourcing and long-term business value.

This year’s Summit features respected business leaders and sustainability specialists who are helping shape Africa’s ESG landscape, including:

• Kuda Mukova, CEO, The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability.
• Jan de Kok, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Absa.
• Tania Swanepoel, Head of Sustainability, Old Mutual Alternative Investments.
• Bevan Louis, Principal – Impact Advisor, Alexander Forbes.

Together with other industry experts, they will share practical insights, case studies and innovative approaches to accelerating Africa’s sustainability journey.

As the Summit’s Anchor Partner, SLR brings global sustainability expertise and practical industry experience to conversations that are increasingly shaping boardroom agendas across Africa. “Smart Procurement World provides the platform and procurement reach, while SLR brings the technical expertise and practical experience needed to turn sustainability commitments into stronger supplier systems, measurable performance and more resilient African supply chains” echoes Johan Oosthuizen, Associate Director, SLR.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping organisations navigate complex ESG challenges while identifying opportunities for innovation, resilience and long-term value creation.

Being co-located with the 20th Annual Smart Procurement World Indaba creates a unique opportunity for delegates to experience how sustainability and procurement have become inseparable drivers of business success.

Together, the two events will bring together procurement, supply chain, ESG and sustainability professionals from across Africa to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends and discover practical solutions that strengthen organisational resilience while delivering measurable environmental and social impact.

Featured at the Summit is the Go Green Zone, showcasing innovative products, technologies and services helping organisations accelerate their sustainability journeys and build future-ready supply chains.

Aurora Energy Research, the leading global provider of long-term bankable power price forecasts, has launched its inaugural long-term forecast for the South African power market, providing investors, developers and market participants with a forward-looking view of power prices ahead of the anticipated launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) in 2027. 
 
Aurora’s Central forecast projects a fundamental transformation of South Africa’s power sector over the coming decades. Demand is forecast to project a 1.3% annual growth between 2027 and 2060, with residential and commercial demand offsetting a stagnant industrial base. Over 30 GW of aging coal-fired generation will retire over the same time period. As a result, more than 120 GW of new generation capacity is needed by 2060, driven primarily by solar PV and onshore wind. South Africa’s generation mix shifts away from coal towards a system dominated by renewable energy, supported by flexible generation. 

The forecast shows the share of electricity generated by wind and solar rising from 23% in 2027 to 88% by 2060. Coal-fired capacity will retire slower than currently scheduled to avoid economically damaging levels of load-shedding in the early 2030s.; Storage technologies, diesel, gas peaking and new combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) are expected to provide critical dispatchable generation during periods of low renewable output, accounting for around 7% of total generation by 2060. 

Aurora also projects significant changes in market pricing dynamics. Baseload power prices increase towards 2050, driven by growing electricity demand, rising commodity prices and the gradual removal of carbon tax exemptions in the power sector. Solar PV and onshore wind capture prices are forecast to rise by more than 100% between now and 2060 as a result, a clear signal to developers and investors. 

The forecast comes at a pivotal moment for South Africa’s electricity sector. As private generation continues to accelerate and preparations for SAWEM gather pace, investors face an evolving landscape of both opportunities and risks. 

Caroline Still, South Africa Market Lead at Aurora Energy Research, comments: “A well-functioning spot market is a force for good. Transparent, market-based pricing and a credible benchmark for negotiations are exactly what deepen liquidity, unlock finance and move isolated deals towards genuine market scale.”  

Dan Monzani, Managing Director, UK, Ireland and Africa, adds: The market fundamentally changes shape. Coal phases out and renewables reach 85-90% of generation. Average prices rise into the 2050s, but the real story is a widening distribution, with far more high-price hours and far more zero-price hours. 

“Volatility is the opportunity. Understanding these risks, where your exposure sits, and how you structure around cannibalisation, curtailment and balancing is what will separate the winners from the losers in this market.” 
 
The authors of the study will present detailed findings during the upcoming public webinar “Route to Market: Aurora’s first Central forecast for the South African power market”, scheduled for August 13, 2026. 10:00 am, BST: Webinar Registration – Zoom.  

The crossing was delivered by Maziya Group subsidiary, Maziya General Services, in partnership with voestalpine South Africa (VAE SA).

“The upgrade forms part of PRASA’s multi‑year Passenger Rail Recovery Programme and will dramatically improve reliability, safety and travel times for thousands of daily passengers,” says Athanacious Makgamatha, PRASA Executive: Group Capital Delivery and Execution at PRASA.

A Flawless Design

Designed and manufactured by VAE SA at its Isando, Johannesburg facility, the crossing is built on durable concrete sleepers, offering improved longevity, reduced maintenance and enhanced ride quality for passengers.

“This diamond crossing is a highly specialised piece of rail infrastructure that enables trains to switch between lines in areas with limited space, replacing a worn‑out installation that previously sat on wooden sleepers,” explains Sizwe Mkhize, Business Development Officer at VAE SA.

The installation of the diamond crossing and associated turnouts in Crossmoor was performed by PEM-LEM turnout replacement machines, together with a specialised, dedicated track installation team.

Rails, turnouts and diamond crossings ensure safe train movements. Their installation requires a high level of precision, coordination, and specialised railway engineering skills to complete. The PEM-LEM team managed and executed the placement, gauging, levelling, and securing of these elements to ensure the track geometry meets strict operational and safety standards.

Impact Felt in More Ways Than One

According to Heinrich Mostert, Signalling Director at Maziya General Services, the upgrade is about far more than technical renewal. “This work restores mobility, restores dignity and restores opportunity,” he says. “For years, large sections of the line have been operating on a single track due to vandalism. Once all upgrades are complete, trains will be able to run in both directions on both lines again—10 minutes apart—instead of one hour apart.”

For the communities served by Crossmoor Station and neighbouring areas, the benefits are already being felt. The previous speed restriction of 15 km/h over the old crossing has been lifted to 60 km/h now that installation, testing and commissioning are complete. The improved track geometry also reduces vibration and noise, resulting in a smoother, more comfortable passenger experience.

A South African Solution, Built for Local Needs

Kedibone Madiba, Head of the Perway Department at Maziya General Services, explains that the design and installation process is uniquely tailored to the constraints of the Crossmoor site.

“This is a brownfield environment with limited space, curves and a platform very close to the installation. A diamond crossing is the only viable solution,” he explains. “We designed everything locally, conducted the surveys, modelled the geometry and worked closely with VAE SA to ensure every component meets the required standards. The result is a system that fits perfectly and performs reliably, even under challenging operating conditions.”

“VAE SA’s local presence is critical. When you run a railway, you need immediate support during derailments or faults, and VAE SA has always responded quickly. Their quality and reliability give us unshakeable confidence,” states Madiba.

Partnership Delivers Real Community Impact

Ultimately, the crossover project forms part of PRASA’s long‑term commitment to rebuilding a safe, modern, dependable public transport system.

“The Crossmoor upgrade is one step among many, but its impact on the surrounding communities will be profound. Reliable rail transport transforms lives. It connects people to jobs, education and economic opportunities. We’re proud to revitalise a network that many people rely on,” concludes Makgamatha.

Logistics is still widely seen as a male-dominated industry, particularly at operational level. At Fastway Couriers, the numbers tell a different story. Nationally, women hold seven of Fastway’s General Manager roles, three Operations Manager roles, and the company’s Operations Director role, across a network of 16 depots and more than 800 courier franchisees.

Ivashni Manikkam, General Manager: National Operations at Fastway, says the pattern reflects how the company defines leadership. “At Fastway, we don’t see courier and logistics as a male or female industry, we see it as an industry for capable people. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for women to succeed at every level of our business. We know that diverse teams make us stronger, and we’re proud to support an inclusive culture where women can lead, innovate and build long-term careers and businesses.”

Many of the women Manikkam counts among Fastway’s leadership have built their careers within the network, progressing through operational roles over a number of years. That hands-on experience gives them a deep understanding of the business, its customers, and the complexities of managing last-mile logistics within a franchise environment – overseeing daily operations, leading teams, managing franchise relationships and ensuring customer commitments are consistently met.

That pattern extends well beyond head office:

• In Klerksdorp, Humairah Asmal owns the regional franchise outright, while Operations Manager, Abigail Visser, and Sophy Sedi – who spent more than five years as the depot’s Operations Manager before moving into finance – help lead a team built almost entirely by women.
• In Nelspruit, Chantelle Wood took over running the depot when its previous manager left at short notice, stepping in rather than leave her father – the Regional Franchisee of both the Nelspruit and Polokwane depots – to manage alone. She has since become a shareholder in both depots and runs one of Fastway’s best-performing franchises on service.
• In Durban, close to 70% of the depot’s departments, including operations, finance, customer service and sales, are led by women.
• And in Cape Town, every department within the Regional Franchise depot – from operations to finance – is led by a woman, with women making up nearly 75% of the wider team running day-to-day operations: coordinating parcels, people and delivery timelines, and resolving customer challenges.

Fastway Cape Town General Manager, Heleen Kruger, has spent 23 years in the transport industry, building experience across finance, sales and operations and leading several large departments. Yet it is the operational side of the business to which she has consistently returned. “People often say that you don’t choose this industry; the industry chooses you. That has certainly been true for me. I have worked across different departments, but I always return to operations. It is where I feel most at home and where I believe I can make the greatest difference.”

Kruger says women have had to work hard to change perceptions about their ability to lead in this space. “Logistics is still seen as a male-dominated industry, particularly at operational level. But women are showing that they can lead from the front, make difficult decisions and succeed across every part of the business.”

Fastway’s Candice Essau, Operations Manager, is another example. She joined Fastway in 2010, when the Cape Town branch first opened, and progressed through different departments before moving into leadership. “My journey has been one of continuous growth. Working across various departments allowed me to understand different parts of the business, take on new responsibilities and develop into a leadership role. I am proud to show that women can lead operational teams, solve complex problems and make tough decisions. Leadership is not about having all the answers, it is about building strong teams, making good decisions and empowering the people around you to succeed.”

For Manikkam, changing those perceptions starts with how the industry talks to the next generation of talent. “Don’t let outdated perceptions of the industry hold you back. Women are proving every day that they can excel in operational and leadership roles, bringing valuable strengths such as collaboration, problem-solving, resilience, and the ability to build high-performing teams. Some of the most successful leaders in logistics started in entry-level operational roles and built their careers through experience, dedication and a genuine passion for serving customers and improving processes.”

As South Africa marks Women’s Month, Fastway’s leadership – from franchise ownership in Klerksdorp and Nelspruit to national management and depot floors in Cape Town and Durban – reflects a broader shift already underway in the logistics industry. Progress is no longer only about creating space for women in the sector; it’s about recognising the critical ownership, operational and leadership roles they already hold in keeping the country’s parcels, and the businesses that depend on them, moving and growing.

For more information, visit www.fastway.co.za

In the run-up to the awards, the SA Awards judges, led by Marcelo Scofano and Dr Muge Nibioglu, will spend the judging week conducting rigorous blind sensory assessments of this year’s EVOO entries to identify South Africa’s finest oils. A session will also be held with the local judges and the international visitor judges on the 15^{th of} August, ensuring that calibration and synergies are concluded before the judging occurs.  The winners will then be announced at the SA Olive Awards ceremony, when the gold, silver and bronze medals will be presented to the country’s best Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

Beyond the judging process, the international judges will visit selected producers during their time in South Africa, offering expert insights and fostering knowledge exchange with the local olive oil community.

Marcelo Scofano – International Judge

Marcelo Scofano is one of South America’s leading authorities on Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with more than 15 years of experience as a sensory analyst, lecturer, consultant and researcher. A professional olive oil taster and Master in Elaiotechnique, trained in Andalusia, Spain, he has lectured extensively on olive oil and gastronomy, consulted to leading food businesses, and is a partner at Estilo Gourmet, a company specialising in culinary consultancy, training and events. He is also the author of Olive Oil, Ancestry and New Food and has contributed to numerous olive oil research projects and publications in Brazil.

Scofano has served as a judge at many of the world’s most prestigious international olive oil competitions across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, including Spain, Portugal, Greece, Israel, Japan, Morocco, Tunisia, Argentina, Peru and Chile. He currently serves as Panel Leader of the Olio Nuovo Days South Hemisphere Competition in Paris and is widely respected for his expertise in sensory evaluation and his contribution to advancing excellence in Extra Virgin Olive Oil worldwide.

Dr. Müge Nebioğlu – International Judge

Dr. Müge Nebioğlu is a highly respected Food Engineer and olive oil specialist from Türkiye, holding a PhD in Oils and Fats Technology. She is a Master Researcher at the Central Research Institute of Food and Feed Control, where she leads research into edible oils and fats, oversees laboratory operations and organoleptic evaluation, and directs national and international research projects. An accredited olive oil tasting expert and trainer, she has made a significant contribution to advancing quality standards through research, education and consultancy, working with government, industry, Michelin-starred chefs and premium producers.

Dr. Nebioğlu has served as a judge at many of the world’s leading Extra Virgin Olive Oil competitions, including events in Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Morocco, South Africa, the Netherlands and Türkiye. She is also an accomplished trainer of olive oil tasters and a trusted consultant to the international olive oil sector, making her one of the foremost authorities in olive oil quality assessment and sensory evaluation.

Wendy Petersen, CEO of SA Olive, says: “Every year, the SA Olive Awards showcase the exceptional quality and dedication of South Africa’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil producers. The calibre of this year’s international judging panel reflects the growing global recognition of our industry, while providing valuable benchmarking for our producers. The awards also support SA Olive’s Commitment to Compliance (CTC) Scheme, which promotes authentic, 100% South African Extra Virgin Olive Oil through rigorous quality standards and transparent labelling, giving consumers confidence in every bottle. We look forward to celebrating our producers’ achievements, with this year’s Gold-winning oils progressing to the final judging for the prestigious Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards.”

The SA Olive Awards remain the country’s premier celebration of EVOOs, showcasing producers whose commitment to quality has earned South African EVOOs a reputation for excellence both locally and internationally.

Following the SA Olive Awards, all Gold-winning EVOOs will advance to the final round of judging for the prestigious Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards, when South Africa’s ten finest Extra Virgin Olive Oils will be selected.