Ray Mahlaka

Eskom estimates it will cost R200bn within the next 10 years to expand South Africa’s electricity infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy projects and end blackouts. The private sector will probably foot this bill.

The suspension of Thandeka Sabela, Michael Kgobe and Gawie van Zyl means Denel's finance operations have been left rudderless at a time when the state-owned arms manufacturer is trying to rebuild its financial affairs after being the key site of State Capture corruption.

Employers in the steel industry and trade unions representing workers will meet again on Wednesday, 24 April, for the second round of pay rise negotiations. Already, trade unions have tabled above-inflation pay rise demands for 2024. This is set to make employers nervous.

The state-owned transport group has seen a slight improvement in the volume of goods it rails to market and containers that are moved through its ports. However, the improvements fall short of the targets contained in Transnet's recovery plan.

State-owned SAA wants to engage with investors keen to take up to 20% of the airline and provide fresh capital. This is after the government's SAA privatisation attempt recently failed.

The company will make a final decision by August on whether to keep open or shut down its loss-making long-steel operations in Vereeniging and Newcastle. ArcelorMittal has argued that curbing above-inflation pay rises in the steel industry is required to keep operations financially sustainable.

The central complaint by Airlink and Global Airways to authorities — set for hearing on 10 May — is that foreign investors/shareholders predominantly own FlySafair, thus breaching South African laws and licensing conditions.

Optimism regarding the end of Eskom blackouts is largely based on the explosion of renewable energy projects, especially solar, in recent months.

The Gauteng premier candidates from the Democratic Alliance, ActionSA, Rise Mzansi and Build One South Africa all agree that the province's infrastructure has been neglected over the years, crime and corruption have festered, and ethically compromised people have been appointed to key positions.

Anglo American said on Tuesday that it was hiving off the businesses and assets as it fends off the unwanted advances of BHP. Anglo hopes investors will accept this plan rather than BHP's proposal, but a leaner meaner Anglo could remain a take-over target.