Transnet Issues RFP to return long-standing Locomotives to Service to meet Customer Demand

In a further effort to normalise freight operations in South Africa, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has issued an open competitive tender inviting eligible original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to step in to rehabilitate the non-operational Chinese-manufactured locomotives awaiting critical spare parts. This follows on the impasse with the CRRC E-Loco Supply, the Chinese stateowned supplier of locomotives. CRRC is unwilling to engage with the relevant authorities in South Africa to normalise its operations in the country. Details on the matter of the CRRC has been widely published. TFR has published the…

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THE GREAT SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTION CONTINUES IN 2023, WARNS PROFESSIONAL BODY FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Unprecedented disruptions and volatility in recent years have stretched supply chains to breaking point. In 2023, we can expect the “Great Supply Chain Disruption” to continue to challenge industries around the world, according to SAPICS, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management in Southern Africa. War, raw materials shortages, rising energy costs and extreme weather conditions are just some of the factors that will disrupt global supply chains in 2023, warns the non-profit organisation that is striving to elevate, educate and empower the community of supply chain professionals across Africa. “In…

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South Africa : Spectacular recovery at Cape Town International Airport over December 2022

Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger today warmly welcomed preliminary statistics received from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which showed that Cape Town International Airport recorded a spectacular recovery in passenger numbers during the peak season month of December when compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Minister Wenger said: “These preliminary statistics received from ACSA show that Cape Town International Airport recorded 266 656 international 2-way passenger numbers for December 2022, resulting in a spectacular 95% recovery when compared to December 2019. The domestic terminal, for the same month,…

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Premier Alan Winde Welcomes Partial Resumption of Eerste River-Bellville Train Service

Premier Alan Winde cautiously welcomes Metrorail’s partial resumption of the train service between Eerste River and Bellville in Cape Town this morning. The service has been suspended since the Covid-19 national state of disaster was implemented in 2020. According to Metrorail, services would have resumed in December 2022 but were delayed due to “environmental issues”. Today’s reintroduction of the service will see the train depart from Bellville station, stopping at Kuils River, Blackheath, Meltonrose, and Eerste River stations. The Premier said, “While this much-needed train service is good news for…

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SOUTH AFRICA : SMART PROCUREMENT HONOURED AT NATIONAL PRESIDENTIAL SMME AWARDS

In recognition of its contribution to empowering and advancing entrepreneurs and developing small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), Smart Procurement was honoured at the inaugural National Presidential SMME Awards. These were hosted by The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and the awards were presented by Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, South Africa’s Minister of Small Business Development. Smart Procurement, which is Africa’s leading procurement and inbound supply chain information service, was awarded second place in the Ecosystem Enabler of the Year category. Nominees in this category comprised organisations that, through lobbying, organising, advisory services, research…

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INDABA PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON FRAUD, WHISTLEBLOWERS AND THE POLITICAL PRESSURE ON PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN PRACTIONERS

Irregular expenditure in national and provincial government departments and State-Owned Enterprises is costing South Africa billions of rands every year. Political interference in public sector procurement was one of the compelling topics on the agenda at the 16th annual Smart Procurement World Indaba. Thandy Pino, who is the founder and CEO of Ntakha Consulting and former Chief Director of Supply Chain and Asset Management at the Gauteng Department of Health, shared her insights and advice on this challenge. She described political interference as an emotional subject for public sector procurement practitioners.…

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COMPANIES PRIORITISE SUPPLY CHAINS TO DRIVE BUSINESS EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITIVENESS AND GROW ECONOMIES

Following the severe impact of the pandemic on global trade, astute organisations around the world are prioritising the supply chain and its contribution to overall business efficiency and competitiveness as well as to economic growth. Forward-thinking South African businesses committed to building strong, resilient supply chains that will withstand future disruptions are increasingly recognising the benefits of partnering with SAPICS, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management in southern Africa. “By joining the SAPICS supply chain community as a corporate partner, organisations demonstrate their commitment to improving their own supply…

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THINK GLOBAL AND ACT LOCAL TO REMEDY PROCUREMENT MYOPIA AND ENSURE BUSINESS SUCCESS AND RESILIENCE, EXPERTS ADVISE

Procurement myopia can be a death sentence for an organisation. This has never been more true than in today’s fragile, post-pandemic and disruption fraught business environment, where economies are still reeling, and business resilience and innovation are more important than ever. “Glocalisation” is a remedy for procurement myopia, according to Dr. Jones Mathew, who is a Professor at the Great Lakes Institute of Management in Gurgaon, India. He was one of the 100 renowned African and international experts who shared their experience and insights with the more than 500 delegates…

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DHL Global Forwarding Invests EUR 7 – million in New State-of-the-Art Facility and Head Office in Johannesburg

DHL Global Forwarding, the leading international air, ocean, and road freight services provider, has inaugurated a new transhipment hub and head office in Johannesburg, South Africa. The sustainable, primarily solar-powered complex was officially opened on Thursday, 22 September 2022. Located in the Sky Park Industrial Estate it provides easy access to “OR Tambo International Airport”. The facility’s temperature-controlled chambers and Good Distribution Practices (GDP)-trained personnel enable the new hub to cater to the unique needs of Africa’s rapidly advancing life sciences and healthcare (LSH) sector. The facility’s opening marks a…

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South African Express placed placed into final liquidation

South African Express was finally placed in final liquidation by the South African High Court on Wednesday, a long-awaited decision since the cancellation of the airline’s licenses and operating rights by the International Air Services Council (IASC) of South Africa last July, due to the failure of a second sale attempt. read more

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