The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SA

  • Adesua Etomi, Banky W relive SA experience

    Adesua Etomi, Banky W relive SA experience

    Hollywood power couple and ‘The Wedding Party stars’, Adesua Etomi and Banky W have recounted their experience in South Africa where the wedding held which was tagged #BAAD2017.

    The couple who released a couple of never-before-seen photographs, held the finale of the wedding at Cape Town in South Africa on November 25, 2017.

    The couple recalled how they left for Cape Town, South Africa, a day after their traditional wedding while the groomsmen and bridesmaids arrived a day after.

    After a quick nap at the African Pride 15 on Orange Hotel, they, together with their crew, jetted off for the sundown at Signal Hill, one of Cape Town’s favourite hills and the top of Signal Hill was nothing short of spectacular.

    According to the couple, the next few days before the wedding included a trip to the top of Table Mountain, over a thousand metres above Capetown – a perfect way to soak up the 360 degree views of the city; and wine tasting at Groot Constantia, one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa.

    The wedding day took place at The Roundhouse, Camps Bay and was attended by guests like Stephanie Coker, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade and others.

    The itinerary also included a Harley Davidson ride from the Westin through Camps Bay beach, to Camps Bay, tearing up the tarmac that winds its way around the breath-taking Chapman’s Peak Drive, as well as a sunset boat cruise later in the evening that took them straight across Table Bay having fun with friends, family and champagne, catching up about the beautiful wedding from the day before.

    At Bela Bela is the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa, with a private pool, swimming pool, outdoor pool, massage spa and wellness centre and also an access to a golf course within 3km of the estate, an exquisite mountain and pool view with outdoor BBQ facilities.

    Most exciting part for the guests were the animal interactions and encounters – the elephant giving kisses to Nancy Isime, Liz Osho, Banky W and others and Ebuka, Jemima Osunde, Banky W and Adesua feeding and patting the cheetahs, Tarzan and Jane.

  • Dangote Cement declines bid on SA firm

    Dangote Cement declines bid on SA firm

    Dangote Cement Plc, Nigeria’s most capitalised quoted company and Africa’s largest cement producer, at the weekend stepped down from its much-publicised bid to acquire the share capital of PPC Limited-a South African leading cement firm.

    In a regulatory filing at the weekend, Dangote Cement board of directors stated that it has notified PPC board of directors that it no longer has an interest in acquiring the South African firm’s share capital.

    Dangote Cement had last month confirmed that it had initiated a bid to acquire the entire share capital of PPC Limited. It, however, noted that the acquisition talks were still at the preliminary stage and the transaction remained a potential one, contrary to reference to the talks in some quarters as ongoing.

    Established in 1892 as De Eerste Cement Fabrieken Beperkt, PPC is a leading supplier of cement and related products in southern Africa. It has 11 cement factories in South Africa, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

    With annual capacity of 11.5 million tonnes of cement products, PPC’s materials business comprise Safika Cement, Pronto Readymix (including Ulula Ash) and 3Q Mahuma Concrete. Its footprint in the readymix sector has grown to include 26 batching plants across South Africa and Mozambique.

    Also, PPC produces aggregates; with its Mooiplaas aggregates quarry in Gauteng, having the largest aggregate production capacity in South Africa. PPC Lime, one of the largest lime producers in the southern hemisphere, produces metallurgical-grade lime, burnt dolomite and limestone.

    PPC is closely linked to the growth and development of South Africa as it has produced cement for many of the country’s most famous landmarks and construction projects.

    Two global rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Service and Global Credit Ratings (GCR), recently rated Dangote Cement high for its financial strength and corporate outlook. In rating reports, both global rating agencies described the outlook of the Africa’s largest cement producer as stable.

    Moody’s assigned three respective high ratings to the cement company, including a first time Ba3 Local Currency Corporate Family Rating (CFR), Ba3-PD Probability of Default Rating and Aaa.ng National Scale Rating (NSR).

    Global Credit Ratings assigned long-term and short-term national scale issuer ratings of AA+ (NG) and A1+ (NG) respectively to Dangote Cement.

    Assistant Vice President and Lead Analyst for Dangote Cement at Moody’s, Douglas Rowlings, said the ratings reflected Dangote Cement’s “strong standalone credit profile and track record of demonstrated financial support from a larger and more diversified parent, Dangote Industries Limited”.

    Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Onne van der Weijde, noted that the ratings highlight the financial strength the company had achieved through unwavering focus on the profitable expansion of its business.

  • SA team visits Brooklyn Tourist Centre

    The Brooklyn Tourist Centre, Port Harcourt, played host to the South Africa Tourism (SAT) trade team.

    The team was in Port Harcourt in continuation of its workshop and road- show in Nigeria’s key cities of Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

    In Port Harcourt, the team took time out to tour the city and visit  the Brooklyn Tourist Centre in Port Harcourt. At the centre, the visitors were taken round the facilities which  include the  zoo and Museum of African History and Culture.

    At the museum, pictures of African leaders and kings which include King Jaja of Opobo, Chaka Zulu, the late Julius Nyerere and many others were on display. There was also at the museum, the history of the evolution of the Nigeria leaders from Lord Lugard to the current government.

    Speaking on the visit, the proprietor of the centre, Chief  Mike Amachree praised the South African trade delegation for the roadshow in Nigeria and urged greater co-operation between Nigeria and South Africa.

    He said: “South Africa and Nigeria are one and we are happy to work with you. I urge you to work and partner our tour operators and travel agents to source for tourists to Nigeria.”

    Alabo Amachree used the opportunity to applaud the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the giant strides the governor is making in developing the tourism potential of the state.

    He said Governor Wike had started   erecting  two magnificent edifices that would help attract tourists from within and outside the region to the state.

    Speaking on behalf the team, Mr. Mohammed Kwajaffa, praised Chief Amachree for the initiative.

    The South African Tourism Regional Manager for West Africa, Mr. Lehlohonolo Pitso, said: “This is the first time South African tourism started expanding into other cities. For the first time, we are actually doing five cities in West Africa. In Ghana, we are doing Kumasi and Accra. In Nigeria, we are doing Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja . This is good for us”.

  • Nigeria, S/A key to Africa’s greatness, says envoy

    For Africa to move forward economically, Nigeria  and South Africa must show the way for other countries on the continent to follow, the new South Africa’s Consul-General in Lagos, Mr. Darkey Africa, has said.

    He spoke in in Lagos  at a ceremony to mark South Africa’s Freedom Day.

    Africa said Nigeria and South Africa were endowed to provide the fulcrum to move the continent to greater heights.

    He eulogised Nigeria for providing help to his country during its greatest hour of need, a reference to the huge financial backing Nigeria gave to South Africa during its bloody apartheid struggle.

    “We owe these 22 years of democracy to your unyielding support. We must continue to work together, despite the challenges we face in building a new and better Africa.

    “Our greatness and role to taking Africa forward must not be hindered or frozen by our perceived attitudes towards each other,’’ he said.

    The Consul-General said it was important for both countries to nurture a common goal reflected in how they treat each other.

    He argued that it was needless for businessmen in both countries to doubt their governments’ efforts in creating a conducive business environment.

    According to him, Nigeria and South Africa’s commercial diplomacy should be pursued in a congenial atmosphere.

    Africa urged the two countries to continue to imbibe the leadership roles played by Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Amadu Bello, Nelson Mandela and Tambo Mbeki.

    “Our people must renew their trust in each other and the collective future of Africa. Nigeria and South Africa are both pillars of the Africa we want and are therefore, central to the momentum of Agenda 2063,’’ he said.

  • SA to probe VW unit after emissions scandal

    South African regulators are investigating Volkswagen’s local business to see if cars sold there also rigged carbon emissions data, an official said.

    The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), which ensures vehicles comply with the necessary standards, including emissions, before being sold in the South African market, says on its website that all VW cars had met the requirements.

    Volkswagen, the world’s biggest carmaker, has admitted using software known as a defeat device to ensure it passed U.S. testing for nitrogen oxides and said 11 million of its cars had been fitted with it.

    The NRCS said it could recall cars if VW was found not to have complied with local emissions measures.

    “Should we find out that the tests that were provided to us were non-compliant, that’s when the sanctioning process will have to start,” said Temba Kaula, acting general manager of the automotive sector at the NRCS.

     

     

    Kaula said they hoped to conclude the investigation within two to three months.

    Matt Gennrich, spokesman for VW South Africa, said the firm was in contact with regulators.

    “There is obviously a full investigation going on internally, and that includes to see how many cars are involved in each market, including South Africa, and once that investigation is complete we will co-operate with authorities,” he said.

    Volkswagen was the second most popular car brand in South Africa after Toyota, selling 8,472 out of 51,055 units in the market during August, data from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa showed.

  • SA Consul-General praises Diamond Bank’s e-banking

    South African Consul-General Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa has lauded Diamond Bank Plc’s bold digital banking initiatives, saying businessmen and women from his home country would continue to patronise and enjoy the excellent electronic banking services, which have put the bank ahead of others.

    During a dinner organised by the bank for a team of South African business delegates to Nigeria, who were on an Outward Selling and Investment Mission (OSIM), Mokgethi said when he arrived in Nigeria, a few years ago, he and his team found financial home in Diamond Bank as a result of the quality of its products, customer friendly workforce and well-developed digital banking services.

    “When I arrived Nigeria in 2012, Diamond Bank was the only bank that rendered the kind of excellent electronic banking that we were used to in South Africa. We knew we had to work with them and over the years, they have continued to improve in their services.”

    He urged the delegates to consider Diamond Bank Plc for their transactions if and when they come to do business in Nigeria.

    The bank’s Chief Executive officer (CEO), Uzoma Dozie, assured them of the lender’s support when they eventually extend their businesses to Nigeria. He explained that Diamond Bank is keen in exploring the immense business opportunities that abound in markets that other banks have not gone into, in order to see that their respective businesses thrive when they eventually decide to come and invest in Nigeria.

    “For us at Diamond Bank, we go the extra mile by tapping into the unbanked to exploit available opportunities. As a bank, we do more than just giving out loans; we create payment structures with detailed information on cash flow which makes for easy connection between business owners and their partners. We also help to improve the quality of services they render  to build sustainable and long term relationships.”

    The leader of the delegation, Mzwandile Masina, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, praised Diamond Bank Plc for a rewarding and satisfying partnership over the years and assured investors of a great support base from the bank.

     

  • S/A’s Deputy President sells assets

    South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has completed the sale of most of his business interests to a company led by MTN Group Ltd. Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko, creating a group with more than $730 million in assets.

    Nhleko’s Pembani Group will merge with Shanduka Group, the Johannesburg-based companies said in a statement on Monday. Ramaphosa’s family trust had a 30 percent stake in Shanduka, which he founded in 2001 after quitting government when he failed to become Nelson Mandela’s deputy president.

    “The group will have a portfolio value in excess of 9 billion rand ($734 million) which will give it significant scale, with liquidity to pursue value-creating opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa,” the companies said.

    Shanduka has stakes in 29 businesses, ranging from Standard Bank Group Ltd., Africa’s biggest lender, to mobile-phone company MTN and a coal-mining venture with Glencore Plc. Ramaphosa, whose remaining company shareholdings will be held in blind trusts, re-entered politics in 2012 when he became deputy president of the ruling African National Congress. He became the country’s deputy president last year.

    With a fortune of $550 million, Ramaphosa is South Africa’s richest black person after Patrice Motsepe, his brother-in-law, according to the Johannesburg-based Sunday Times newspaper. Nhleko is the fifth-richest black South African with assets of $142 million, according to the newspaper. He oversaw MTN’s development into Africa’s biggest mobile-phone operator.

  • Dike warns Eaglets against SA

    Dike warns Eaglets against SA

    Former Golden Eaglets coach, Alphonsus Dike has called for caution in the side’s semifinal clash against the Amajimbos of South Africa.

    The reigning world champions will challenge the South Africans for a place in the final of the ongoing African Under-17 Championship in Niger Republic on Wednesday at the General Seyni Kountche in Niamey.

    The Eaglets garnered seven points to top Group A while South Africa finished second in Group B behind Mali.

    Dike said Eaglets must be at their very best on match day to be able to outsmart the equally good South African side.

    “Unarguably, South Africa are a good side, the country’s football has been on the upward rise in recent time. It’ll certainly be a difficult encounter for both sides but the side that perseveres and maintains 100% concentration will go home victorious.

    “That means  the Eaglets must be 100% careful in their approach to the game as well as remain at their very best. I believe they will win at the end of the day but they must not underrate the opponents or lose even a second concentration.

    “Absolute concentration is the watchword throughout the duration of the encounter,” said the former Enugu Rangers coach to supersport.com.

    Dike, however, is uncomfortable with the head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke’s reported outburst that the World Cup ticket is key as far as the cadet championship is concerned.

    “The comment is capable of making the players complacent especially in a semi-final clash against South Africa. The coach needs to quickly work on the players’ morale and psyche as the championship title is worth winning in addition to the World Cup ticket.

    “The Eaglets should win the title and head to the world stage as African champions, it’ll give them added respect at the global arena,” said the former Nasarawa United coach.

    The semi-finalists at the African Under-17 Championship have automatically qualified to fly the continent flag at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

     

  • Eskom starts power blackouts in SA

    South Africa’s power utility started rolling blackouts for a second time this year because of “unforeseen technical problems” at some of its generating plants.

    “The power system is severely constrained,” Johannesburg-based Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., which generates 95 percent of the power for the continent’s second-biggest economy, said on its Twitter account. Managed cuts started at 11 a.m., with the company planning on forcing demand down by as many as 1,000 megawatts, known locally as stage 1 load-shedding.

    Eskom expects to implement power cuts almost daily until April after deferred maintenance led to more plant breakdowns, it said on Jan. 15. The utility implemented 15 days of rolling blackouts last year, the first since 2008, and did the same on January 9 as the state-owned company’s aging plants struggle to meet demand for power.

    “It’s about plants coming back from maintenance,” Shaun Nel, spokesman for the Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa, said by phone. The EIUG’s members include ArcelorMittal and BHP Billiton Ltd.’s local units and consume about 45 percent of the country’s electricity. When repairs have finished there can be issues related to the restart of units known as “post-maintenance outages” he said.

    Eskom didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

    Power demand by industrial users will rise by the end of the month as companies return to full production after the festive-season break, Nel said. Still, the issue is capacity, not demand, he said. “It’s going to be the situation for at least the next year,” he said.

  • SA Tourism signs trade agreement with NANTA

    SOUTH Africa’s tourism credentials as a leisure destination were put on full display at this year’s AKWAABA travel and trade show. During the three-day show, the South African Tourism team promoted the country to West African visitors to the fair.

    Thulani Nzima, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of  South African Tourism, says: “Regional Africa and in particular the East and West African regions, continue to be key growth markets for us. We have invested considerable resources in growing tourist arrivals from this region to South Africa.

    “Our participation at this year’s AKWAABA show served as the perfect platform for us to continue building and strengthening partnerships with the outbound sector of the Regional African tourism industry and with our partners in media and the travel trade who give South Africa fantastic support in destination marketing and sales. It also gave us the opportunity to demonstrate the best of our leisure offering to the rest of the continent and to the broader global industry that recognises the potential of Africa’s future.”

    West Africa, more specifically, Nigeria, and South Africa have enjoyed a long-standing and fruitful partnership. The two countries have many times spoken of their resolve to strengthen relations and work together for the long-term betterment of an economically vibrant African continent. Travel and tourism have been identified as a key driver in unbridling this potential..

    “The travel trade are a critical component to the work that we do. During AKWAABA we officially announced our partnership with the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) who will help boost tourist arrivals growth from Nigeria to South Africa by developing a range of packages to suit the Nigerian traveller,” explains Nzima.

    This partnership, he says, is a significant milestone and one which we believe will go far in reaffirming our commitment to bolstering the economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa. It will also give us access to a wide audience of discerning travellers who contribute significantly to South Africa’s growth.

    Growth in Regional African arrivals has been driving growth of South Africa’s tourism industry for many years now. Tourist arrivals to South Africa from Nigeria in particular have enjoyed a steady incline.  A total of 84, 589 Nigerian tourists visited South Africa last year.