SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SOUTH AFRICA SCC INSIDER EDITION 1 SEPTEMBER 2022
PRESIDENT'S NOTE 4 WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS 6 NEWS AND INSIGHTS 9 EVENTS 25 INSPIRATIONAL TALKS 28 C O N T E N T RESEARCH 34 3 Disclaimer: Articles published do not all reflect the perspective of the Chamber, but that of the authors.
We host stimulating events with expert speakers and community leaders, as well as with elected officials We also host cultural events where we celebrate and learn about Spain, such as the Spanish Paella & Tortilla de Patatas competition and our well attended Gala and Awards Dinner
Dear SCC Members and Friends of the Chamber, It is my honour and privilege to be elected as the President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in RSA. As the Managing Director of LaLiga in South Africa, it is great to be part of such a prestigious organization, let alone to lead it It has been a pleasure to work and be part of the community since 2019 To me, it is important to be able to help all of the members of the chamber, which is why over the past couple of years I have been engaged in the many different committees within the chamber
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA PRESIDENT'S NOTE PAGE 4
4
We are actively advocating on behalf of businesses by listening to their concerns and challenges and working with all levels of government to ensure they are aware of and responding to the obstacles and constraints you are facing Advocacy Benefit We have a variety of unique benefits for our members, such as discounts on travel and transport of cargo, as well as opportunities to promote your business, and education on a range of business and leadership topics
The Chamber’s mission is anchored by three pillars mentioned to you in the past, also known as the SCC’s ABC’s:
Our goal is to curate a fun and stimulating experience where you can interact with other businesses and learn from each other, while developing new relationships to expand your network Connect
Mr.MarcosPelegrin PresidentoftheSCCinSouthAfrica
Advocacy Benefit Connect
Marcos Pelegrin President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce RSA
The Chamber is also aware of the current visa challenges that many FDIs are experiencing, and we are actively advocating for change to ensure that government policies and supports are in place to help our business community prosper and grow With many networking opportunities and services to support businesses, the Chamber embraces a culture of vibrant engagement and proactive advocacy As your President, I would be honoured to connect with you to better understand your unique business needs and introduce you into our thriving business network We are stronger if we work together Saludos Cordiales
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA PRESIDENT'S NOTE -5-
Through networking and expert speaker panels, the Spanish Chamber is a place where you can hear from other business leaders and/or experts in the different disciples and share strategies to address common challenges, such as shortages in skilled labour and increased costs due to supply chain disruption and the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
PAGE 5
Catalonia Trade & Investment is the public agency that works to attract foreign direct investment to Barcelona and Catalonia, promoting the area as an attractive, innovative and competitive business location
Bryanston Travel is owned and managed by Julie Van Acker, an accomplished Travel Industry professional with over 40 years of extensive experience in the Travel Industry
ACCIÓ’s Johannesburg office opened in 1995 to provide Catalan companies access to markets in southern Africa and, especially, to the powerful market of the Republic of South Africa Of the more than two hundred projects that have been carried out in recent years, many companies operate in the field of food There are also a large number of reputable companies in the chemicals, power and industrial system sector.
” Amit Ray
Services generating most interest among Catalan companies include the search for marketing channels, scheduling business meetings and business missions
The Spanish Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the companies that have joined the Chamber as members in the past few months The Chamber is proud to have these companies in their respective industries as part of the extended SCC Family, and will strive towards building stronger relations between Spain and South Africa
“Collaboration gives the freedom to come out from the narrow scopes of life to the field of endless possibilities
Founded with the belief that people are connected through shared memories, Dream Hotels & Resorts was established with the dream of creating lasting memories by providing the right canvas: a varied portfolio of resorts and lodges including exclusive membership and ownership opportunities in South Africa’s most sought after holiday destinations
PAGE 6
Dream Hotels & Resorts’ mantra across its 21 properties, ranging from the iconic Blue Marlin Hotel in Scottburgh, the Peninsula All Suite Hotel in the Western Cape to Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa in the beautiful Cape Wine lands all the way to Finfoot Lake Reserve situated in the Greater Pilanesberg, is to provide a concierge experience for all our guests This “One Guest” approach centres on exceeding expectations to provide guests with the dream holiday they deserve
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS -6-
Habsburg is an early stage and long term venture capital fund comprised of seasoned veterans and entrepreneurs from leading technology companies, who bring not only deep domain expertise, but also hands on operating experience to the companies in our portfolio Habsburg investors began investing in 2000 In 2008, Habsburg’s investors decided to consolidate their various investments into Habsburg based in London, United Kingdom.
Early investments included Enterprise Outsourcing, SA Outsourcing, Tour Apps, Knowledge Apps, Monitor Apps, Timeshare Solutions, Finance Apps and Logistic Apps Polyroads is a specialist company, focusing on the development and manufacturing of Smart Materials for the mining and road construction industry These products includes, mine haul road stabilization, national road construction, factory floors, dust palliatives and spray on dam geoliners. Smart Materials are also being used in repairs to concrete water canals, sewerage dams, as well as lining of fresh water reservoirs and earthen dams
TAAG presents itself as a leading company for modernisation of aerial transportation in Angola, through a reliable and financially sustainable operation that promotes Angola's image all around the world
Blasting solutions for mining, quarries and civil works; Cartridges and gun powders for use in hunting and recreational shooting; Products and systems for the defense and security sector; Founded by Alfred Nobel in 1872, our team is made up of more than 6000 people of 80 different nationalities, present in over 45 countries, all with a common goal: our contribution to our clients' value chain, wherever they may be in the world, will lead to sustainable progress and development for society as a whole.
-7-
MAXAM is a global company, specializing in the design, development, manufacture and application of energetic materials.
PAGE 7
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
OUR SERVICES START A BUSINESS GROW AND DEVELOP MAINTAIN AND COMPLY Unlocking your vision Business plan development and modelling Company and name registration Register taxes Income tax PAYE, VAT Setup accounting system, procedures and controls Setup payroll Design reports to track performance Hardware and software website (WordPress templates) telephony email Analysis of business performance and recommendation to improve and implementation thereof Improvements and upgrading of systems procedures and controls Outsourcing Training, coaching and team building Strategy interventions Skills Audit Change and talent management Leadership Development Agricultural Management Annual returns and updates of CIPC information Tax returns Monitor system controls financial reports and KPI's together with business Accounting, VAT and payroll Cash flow and working capital management Financial statements Hosting and support Moonwater helps clients to unlock their vision With our understanding and experience of multiple industries, systems and operations, clients are prepared to manage their businesses on a sold platform right from the start. 012 004 3391 info@moonwater.co.za www.moonwater.co.za
On May 27, we celebrated our 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Spanish Embassy in Pretoria The meeting was presided by H E the Ambassador of Spain, Mr Raimundo Robredo Rubio We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Marcos Pelegrin, Managing Director for Africa at LaLiga, as the new President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Republic of South Africa Furthermore, Mrs Tshepo Ncube was again elected as Vice President of the Chamber and Mr. Ramiro Sebastiao accepted his appointment as Treasurer Two new Directors were also appointed on the board: Mr Mario Inchausti, Managing Director of Inventta, and Mr Pedro Viudez, CEO of Habsburg Limited. Congratulations to all board members who were elected! We would like to thank all the members who attended the AGM in person and all those who were able to follow it online Thanks to the Honorary Deputy President, Mr Isaac Martín Barbero for attending and co hosting the AGM with Mrs Tshepo Ncube After the AGM we enjoyed a great lunch at the Ambassador’s residence For more images of the AGM, click here Marcos Pelegrin (LaLiga South Africa) is the new President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in South Africa.
PAGE 9
SpanishChamberofCommerceinRSA
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS -9NEW LEADERSHIP ON THE SCC BOARD
WITHIN
SpanishChamberofCommerceinRSA
The panel speakers were diverse and very successful in their disciplines The panel was moderated by Ms Poppy Matshaya (Director for Southern Africa of IE Business School, Instituto Empresa), alongside the speakers; Aurora Carbonel de Barnola (Head of Consular Section at Embassy of Spain Pretoria), Tshepo Ncube (Head of Global Corporates at Absa), Dr Fabiola Quesada (CEO of Wild Spirit Foundation), Rashmee Ragaven (Director of Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and Zizikazi Vikilahle (Director Outsourced Accounting Services at Mazars)
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS -10-
NAVIGATING TOXIC LEADERSHIP WHILST UNLEASHING THE DIAMOND
Women leaders working in toxic environments often face a double challenge, on one side, they may need to manage a hostile environment effectively, whilst on the other hand, they must maintain level headedness when leading their own teams In celebration of women’s’ month, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce RSA hosted a symposium and panel discussion “Navigating toxic leadership whilst unleashing the diamond within”, in partnership with IE Business School and Mazars, on the 19 August 2022, at Mazars House, Melrose Estate, Johannesburg. The address was spearheaded by Ms Manuela Sánchez Aragú, Senior Lecturer GBI (Global Business Institute) and Supervisor for the MBA Research Projects at UNISA SBL, and General Manager of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce RSA Working under destructive leadership is not only difficult for morale, it can ultimately affect team performance and instill a toxic culture.
PAGE 10
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS -11-
The guests which honoured the event were members of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, IE Business School alumni, employees of Mazars, and esteemed women in the corporate space. The symposium and panel discussion was informative and nurturing to the delegate present The Spanish Chamber of Commerce RSA was honoured for having successfully hosted this event, with the sponsorship of IE Business School and Mazars, as well as the powerful panel speakers
PAGE 11
Iberchem South Africa launched Blind SA to help with the recruitment of blind people to be trained for product taste and sensory evaluations Since almost 95% of blind people are unemployed, we saw this as a key opportunity for blind people to te a sustainable income from taste panel ablish the taste panel, Iberchem South partnered with its current service er, YHO Sensory Space This sensory ch group developed online platforms to ghted tasters to use in consumer research One of these platforms was adapted and ed to screen and train blind individuals atforms using text to speech translation re made it possible to use the online Blind SA: A unique project for the blind community of South Africa Iberchem has a strong sustainability program in place to which each subsidiary is invited to contribute at a local level. The company is determined to meet the ambition of its parent company, Croda, to become Climate, Land and People Positive by 2030 “More than a fragrance and flavour manufacturer, Iberchem South Africa is also a corporate citizen,” said Quentin Questiaux, General Manager of Iberchem South Africa “It was of paramount importance to us that the local community would benefit from the company’s activity At the same time, our parent company Croda was offering grants to launch local CSR campaigns across the world. So, we took the opportunity to submit a project, Blind SA, and we got the grant ” -12-
Iberchem
PAGE 12
Iberchem South Africa is a flavour and fragrance manufacturer based in Midrand, North of Johannesburg. The company was launched in 2018 and is one of the 24 subsidiaries operated by Iberchem around the world It now employs over 60 employees In terms of fragrances, Iberchem SA specialises in the creation of fragrances for home care (detergents, surface cleaners, reed diffusers, etc ) and personal care applications (soaps, shampoos, body cream, etc ) For flavours, the company creates taste solutions for sweet (confectionery, baked goods & desserts, ice creams & lollies and dairy products, etc), savoury (soups, noodles, stock cubes and snacks, ready meals, meats and fish, fresh and preserved foods, etc ) and beverages (Soft & energy drinks, powder & syrups, juices & waters, etc )
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS IBERCHEMSOUTHAFRICAPRESENTS BLINDSA:ANINTRODUCTIONTOTHE FANTASTICWORLDOFFLAVOURS
SOUTH
PAGE 13
NEWS
Spanish Secretary of State for Trade and Foreign Investment; Ms Xiana Méndez, the Ambassador of Spain to South Africa; Mr Raimundo Robredo, the Chief of Cabinet to the Secretary of State; Mr Erik Rovina, the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Spain; Ms Inmaculada Riera and the COO of CEOE International; Mr Narciso Casado, and M Quentin Questiaux, General Manager Iberchem SA Iberchem's headquarters in Murcia
About Iberchem
Founded in 1985 in Murcia, Iberchem is Spain’s largest fragrance and flavour manufacturer and a leading reference across the industry It counts on over 1 000 employees and operates 24 centres around the world The flavour division of Iberchem runs by the name of Scentium Flavours
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AFRICA AND INSIGHTS
platforms to successfully screen 34 blind individuals This combination of braille used for sample identification and text to speech translation made the blind taster training possible Within the next month, the shortlisted panellists will undergo further training, allowing them to become qualified tasters. The funding more broadly made it possible to build 16 sensory tasting booths, allowing the blind panel tasting to be conducted under global sensory research standards, using smart science to enable blind people to express sensory evaluations in a common sensory language -13-
So who are we? -14-
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS
The month of August is significant month in the history of South Africa where we commemorate a pivotal turning point in the country which was subsequently declared August women's month In celebrating this momentous occasion, Columbus Stainless takes this opportunity to commemorate the dedicated women within our workforce As an organisation we hold the belief that our greatest asset is our people, and with them, we are able to innovate and traverse the changing business landscape The steelmaking process has traditionally been a very male dominated field. However, as the company grows and diversifies; our workforce is continuously evolving to include well qualified, capable women contributing to key roles within the organization This has ensured that we continue to realise our vision of making tomorrow stainless
ColumbusStainless
PAGE 14
STAINLESS STEEL: QUALITY IN DIVERSITY
Columbus Stainless is a subsidiary of the Spanish based Acerinox Group in South Africa and Africa’s only producer of stainless steel flat products Founded in 1966, Columbus Stainless is the only fully integrated, technologically advanced, single site stainless steel producer. The plant, based in Middleburg Mpumalanga, produces a wide range of stainless steel grades from the Austenitic, Ferritic, Utility and Duplex stainless steel families
This year marks 30 years since the construction of the new Columbus Stainless factory following the formation of the Columbus Joint Venture by the Industrial Development Corporation, Highveld and Samancor (Columbus Joint Venture CJV) The CJV was taken over by Acerinox SA in 2002 which now owns 76% shares in the company.
The evolution of the company has not only taken place with the diversification and growth of the stainless steel grades we produce, but also in our people Columbus Stainless is proud to have contributed to the development of this material over five decades and will continue to do so as the only stainless steel plant in Africa Parallel to this our work force has steadily been representative and intentional in debunking gender stereotypes
Like our diverse organisation, our products are used in a variety of industries, including the automotive industry, train wagons, power generation, mining, farming, catering, brewing industries and various manufacturing industries In good markets, the mill has a melting capacity of 1 000 000 tons per annum to supply stainless steel flat products (coils, plates and sheets) to various final customers, distributors, engineering shops and mines globally (e g in Africa, Europe, the United States, Asia, etc ) Stainless steel has proven itself as a multi functional and adaptable metal of choice and has proven successful in many application and offers great value to the manufacturing industry It remains a cost competitive, low maintenance material of choice contributing to long term sustainability; being 100% recyclable and manufactured using recycled material Indeed the future of manufacturing is Stainless and the role of women in this industry has and will continue to grow from strength to strength
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS -15PAGE 15
Having worked at Absa for just over 5 years. it excites me to be part of a company that is not only actively addressing this issue to include more female voices in key decision making roles but is also reaping the benefits of this long term investment In the last 2 years alone, CIB has brought in females from across the finance industry who have brought their own networks, skills, and clients and this has transformed into a direct contribution to the bottom line. This is not by chance, but rather by deliberately identifying these women and investment in a working environment in which women can thrive
The first is how leadership styles are characterised when looking to introduce diversity
PAGE 16
There is a material difference between empathetic leadership and being there to rubber stamp decisions Building communities that guide perceptions to ensure women’s leadership skills are perceived correctly is part of the solution to success.
HEARD TshepoNcube|ABSAGroup -16-
IFYOUDON’TSPEAK,YOUWON’TBE
There is no question that empathetic leadership has its place but as an organisation, Absa is well on the path of creating an environment where women are recognized and rewarded for their skill sustainably, rather than supporting campaigns that’s simply rolled out as platitudes when Women’s Month arrives, or a Sustainability Report needs to be completed One of the many internal initiatives to change the narrative is Absa’s participation in the United Nations’ HeForShe programme HeForShe informs perspectives by creating awareness about the importance of gender equality The programme gives men a platform to stand in solidarity with women by signing a pledge not to engage in behaviours that are discriminatory or harmful to women As Women’s Month has drawn to a close and the social media and marketing teams move on to the next cause, we need to ensure that women in our businesses are not simply placed on temporary pedestals they also need to be protected and supported internally by the perceptions of colleagues to fill their rightful place in leadership positions, all year round.
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS
This can be attributed to three deliberate focus points Women own the narrative… and it’s not empathetic
In many cases, organisations elevate women into leadership positions on the basis that they will “Keep the peace” or “Deal with the softer elements of the operations” This unfortunately creates an environment where internal biases persist or are even accentuated Research indicates that teams with greater gender diversity across their workforce and leadership will outperform a non diverse one. South Africans celebrated Women's month during August, a reminder for some that organisations should challenge their stakeholders to see how they are performing on this metric
The third consideration is that building a diverse workforce or leadership team is not just about women or building women focused initiatives
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS
As the leading Pan African banking group, Absa will shortly be launching the 100 Women in Finance initiative in Kenya and one of the key messages from this global movement is that men have a very real role to play in the advancement of women inside of organisations.
Female empowerment and leadership initiatives are necessary to guide women through the ranks and create a world where every woman wake up with the confidence to contribute and they need to be able to depend on their male counterparts to support them for the right reasons When women are placed in organisations that train and develop leaders and have a culture of inclusion by appointing women into positions of influence they will make an impact no matter the environment they find themselves in and it will reflect in the bottom line Absa’s journey has been deliberate and has yielded some success in this respect. Our work to create an environment where women can not only speak but be heard has resulted that we are able to attract confident, capable women to invest in an inclusive uplifting Africanacity future Unleash Empower women with the “Know How” and remove hurdles to their success. Connect Create connection sessions for women to grow their insights and expand their networks Lead Link women to relevant platforms to build and showcase their Talents Integrate Allow women to bring their whole self to work The second is networking Women still struggle to network, and when they do network, the connections they build are not as strong as those of their male counterparts Men are often able to transition work relationships into social relationships such as a round of golf but women still struggle in this regard. This is unfortunate as networking is the currency of success It’s too often that we encounter women who outperform their colleagues but when it’s time to get promoted they’re overlooked Often it is because of the capacity in investing in the right relationships As ex chair and sponsor of the Banking on Women (BoW) initiative that was born in 2014, I am very passionate about uplifting women and ensuring they have the know how of building the right networks As somebody building a high performance team, the message needs to be clear: “If you don’t speak up, you won’t be heard” Absa has invested significantly in creating an enabling environment in which this can be done BoW, as an example, was developed to help women speak up by focusing on the following four pillars: 1 2 3 4. BoW cements the currency of success by accelerating the advancement and professional growth of women across Absa CIB, leveraging the capabilities of women, allowing opportunities to network and providing resources to support and build, communities Currency of success It’s not just about women
PAGE 17
-17-
AndreasKrensel
On the 14th of February 2022, Phaketha Vikwa, Director of Central Adjudications for South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) released Internal Communique Number 3 HOME AFFAIRS: VISAPROCESSINGTIMES
What should overseas employers sending foreign assignees to SA do about this issue? Is it hopeless? Not if the immigration sector and international corporates band together and demand that more efficient measures are introduced to mitigate the fallout caused by the lack of planning around implementing these delegations We call on corporates and multinationals to add their voices and write to the DHA and the DTI Use your authority, name and brand to create urgency around this issue Local South Africans want and need your business and Foreign Direct Investment in SA and, even though the SA government’s actions do not reflect this, so do they This notice announced delegations signed on the 12th of January, 2022 and detailed the implementation of the increased Visa Processing Times, for long term visas When the DHA first announced that long term visa applications would now be adjudicated at their Head Office in Pretoria and no longer at missions in country, it was posited as a way to ensure compliance and consistency when applying immigration legislation during adjudication at the time, the immigration sector welcomed this Six months later, it is blatantly obvious that the centralised adjudication system is failing to produce its intended results, causing visa processing times to be increased. The slapdash implementation and inevitable increase in processing times have positioned south africa as an unattractive employment and long-term residence location More so, some missions have insisted on creating processes out of line with SA immigration legislation, confusing our clients and immigration consultants, and causing panic and frustration for both Some missions insist on holding clients’ passports for months during visa processing, making extensive travel planning difficult to impossible and therefore leading to loss of business and income for many of our clients
|IBNImmigrationSolutions -18-
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS DEPARTMENT OF
I have written several letters to the Director General and Minister of Home Affairs, asking the government to reconsider the centralisation More than this: I, along with my colleagues from IBN Immigration Solutions, WESGRO and several financial chambers, have written with clear suggestions to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Our voices are not being heard.
PAGE 18
Previously, processing took between six to eight weeks Now, our immigration consultants have received estimated processing times from missions of up to eight months Corporates will not wait six to eight months for an assignee’s visa to be processed Time is money they will simply take their business to a country with more efficient Processing Times
What Can Be Done about this Increased Processing Time?
NEWS
The event also saw the collaboration of other business organizations such as: Italian South African Chamber of Trade and Industries, Austrian Business Chamber, Belgian Chamber of Commerce for southern Africa, Business Ireland Johannesburg, South African Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, and Spanish Chamber of Commerce in South Africa
ATALEOFTWONATIONALISMSAND HOW THEY HAVE FAILED, AND
On August 18 the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in South Africa and the South African Canada Chamber of Commerce, sponsored and hosted by Citadel, had the pleasure of presenting the event on the inspiring topic "A tale of two nationalisms and how they have failed, and continue to fail South Africa "
Mr Moeletsi Mbeki, known for being an incisive businessman, a critical sociologist, and a provocative political analyst, kindly accepted the invitation to address this international audience and introduce this complex topic to the guests
CONTINUETOFAILSOUTHAFRICA Spanish Chamber of Commerce in RSA, in partnershipwithSwissChamSouthernAfrica
-19"new world" in which the surviving indigenous peoples are marginalized by new foreign peoples taking over the land. The economic example South Africa should look to is the U S , because of all the countries matching the description of the so called new world, they are the most successful one Their success was achieved by destroying the old colonial economy (exports from mines and plantations) and industrializing the country to combat unemployment and improve the structure of its trade He later addressed more specific issues, such as the dualism between the economic and political elites, both of whom are interdependent and vulnerable to each other, and political corruption and waste of public money: among OECD countries, South Africa has the highest percentage of GDP that goes to pay public servants, and this also negatively affects the country's pipeline of successful entrepreneurs
PAGE 19
Mr Mbeki immediately sought to answer some challenging questions about the country's economic and political future, and about how to create an inclusive tomorrow for the entire population, starting with the past: in order to understand how to rehabilitate the South African economy, it is necessary to understand where it came from and what place South Africa occupies in the world In his opinion, the country is the only African country (besides Mauritius) that is part of the group of nations called the "new world," most of which are located in the Americas He explains how the exclusion of most South Africans begins precisely with the creation of this CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA AND INSIGHTS
SPANISH
The two nationalisms referred to are the Afrikaner and the African nationalism, and both have failed, Mbeki explains: the former because Afrikaaners marginalized the majority of the population and set the stage for economic failure, the latter because the new African elite had no interest in maintaining and expanding the infrastructure created, leading the country to steadily deteriorate At the end the speech before answering questions from the observant audience, Mr Mbeki presented his personal beliefs on how to restructure the country's economy, the most important points of which are: investing in infrastructure and progress to combat unemployment; linking more to sub Saharan Africa; reviewing exports with the rest of the world, and finally diversifying the sectors of the economy, since an economy based on crude mineral exports will always be weak -20-
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS
Members of the various chambers were in attendance, and this event, in addition to its informative and cultural purpose, also took an interesting turn toward productive networking, with exchanges of ideas and opinions also with a view to future business collaborations and business contacts A final mention and thanks for the excellent success of the event should be made to the delicious catering service provided by Citadel Synopsis provided by the Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industry.
PAGE 20
This is a current and ongoing phased expansion project, projected to make the mine the second largest copper complex globally The mine is powered by clean, renewable, hydro generated electricity and is projected to be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced Hence Kamoa Kakula Mine will have one of the most favourable environmental footprints of any Tier One Copper Mine worldwide Earlier this year, Pioneer Holdings LLC, a Dubai based company, was awarded the contract to build the initial phase of 20 Km of haul/access roads for the mine, as part of their ongoing expansion project In keeping with the mine’s
Ivanhoe Mines New Horizons is a leading Canadian mining company committed to becoming a global leader in the supply of critical resources required to transition our world to a low carbon, renewable future One of its mining operations in Africa is the Kamoa Kakula Copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is Africa’s largest high grade copper discovery
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INSIGHTS
Our third generation soil stabilizer, SoilTech MKIII is the product of choice to stabilize the roads, making use of the in situ materials SoilTech MK III is internationally certified with WFTAO, the World Federation of Technical Assessment Organization, of which Spain is a member country Smart Sealant AsphalTech, which is a polymer modified bitumen, will be used as the binding agent for the wearing course seals, capable of withstanding low, medium and high axle loads
PAGE 21
SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND
KAMOA-KAKULA COPPER MINE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Polyroads -212022 Pioneer Holdings LLC awarded the contract to build 20 Km of haul/access roads for the mine. mandate to provide a cost effective, highly resilient, environmentally friendly alternative construction solution for their haul/access roads, as well as for the local community roads, Pioneer Holdings LLC partnered with Polyroads to supply products from our Smart Material range for road stabilization and road sealing
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS -22PAGE 22
Reduces aggregate consumption in the use of in situ materials Reduces water consumption Cost effective in reducing construction time, plant and operational costs. Reduces CO2 emissions Reduces maintenance costs as long as roads are maintained Allows for dual base stabilization via capillary migration of the product from a single application from the base layer into the sub base layer Stronger roads and longevity Water based, non toxic, non hazardous, environmentally friendly products. Roads open to all traffic 24 hours after stabilization thus affording minimum disruption to operational uptime Asphalt wearing course applied 7 days later
Having worked at Anglo American/Debswana’s Orapa Mine in Botswana, one of the world’s largest open cast diamond mines, for stabilization and dust suppression of their haul roads, Polyroads is very excited and proud to be associated with Ivanhoe Mines in the further development and expansion of their road network at this impressive and giant of a project at Kamoa Kakula copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo Contact person: Julie Maria Business Development Manager julie@polyroads com
In brief, some of the benefits of using SoilTech MK III for soil/road stabilization are:
PAGE 23
Contact person: Yvonne Skerritt Regional Sales Manager yvonne@flytaag.co.za
Travelling for business or pleasure? Flights into Lagos Nigeria (via Luanda) have been reintroduced with amazing fares for this 6 hour flight one of the fastest routes available between the two countries TAAG’s longstanding daily route to Luanda from Johannesburg is also back in full swing, as are the five times a week flights to Angola via Cape Town, where passengers are able to depart for Lisbon five days out of seven. OF TRAVEL WITH TAAG ANGOLAAIRLINES
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS AND INSIGHTS A FESTIVAL
Another extremely popular destination is Brazil and TAAG boasts one of the quickest options when travelling to Sao Paulo three times per week Booking to Sao Paulo has never been easier or more affordable! A part of its on going commitment to ensuring passengers receive the best in comfort and reliability, the airline has recently ordered six new Airbus A220 300 aircraft which will be delivered in phases starting in 2023 The six new aircraft will bolster our fleet and will give us the range flexibility to cover intra African and intercontinental markets with state of the art efficiency
One of the ways TAAG Angola Airlines is celebrating their resumption of international flights has been to boost their European routes with newly introduced, twice weekly flights to vibrant and exciting Madrid This has successfully opened other gateways within Spain, with connections through codeshare partner, Iberia Outbound flights leave for the Spanish capital on Thursdays and Sundays with inbound traffic designated for Mondays and Fridays, with a total flying time of 12,5 hours and two choices of departure venue, Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT), these flights are an excellent way to travel into the hub of Europe “We are very excited about adding this new Madrid route to our list of international destinations and are offering Agents some amazing introductory offers and consistent savings on fares as well as increased frequency of flights” says regional sales manager for TAAG, Yvonne Skerritt.
-23-
TAAGAngolaAirlines
PAGE 25
Wednesday, 02 November 2022 SCC Last Board Meeting
Tuesday, 27 September 2022 Knowledge Café : Reigning Chaos and how to achieve, effective, efficient and Economic winning Chaordic Strategies by Mr Pieter Geldenhuys
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 European Chambers Golf Day Johannesburg at Ranpark Golf Club
Sunday, 06 November 2022 Spanish Paella Competition Festival
Sep (TBA) Round Table with Spanish Agri Association with Ambassador & ABSA
Thursday, 24 November 2022 European Chambers Golf Day CPT at Westlake
Friday, 09 September 2022 SCC Board Meeting
Friday, 04 November 2022 LaLiga/SCC Golf Day
Friday, 09 December 2022 Year End Gala and Awards Dinner Dates are a subject to change
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA EVENTS SCC UPCOMING MEETING AND EVENTSCALENDAR -25(NB*)
DATE MEETING / EVENT
Wednesday, 26 October 2022 Conference in Water Security and Renewable Energy (Potential Sponsor Mazars)
Oct (TBA) Round Table Discussion with International Affairs Ministry & DTIC and Invest SA
OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA
TECHNOLOGIES
EriscanInnovation
We are pleased to announce our support to the AI Tools & Technologies workshop to be held by Eriscan Innovation on the 6th of September, which aspires to be part of the AI Ecosystem digital transformation in Africa The importance of AI remains a formidable tool to respond with new and unforeseen solutions to problems created by inevitable disruptions The workshop attendees will be exposed to practical demonstrations of these AI tools developed by South African specialists and developers. Free entrance to Spanish Chamber of Commerce RSA members -2612:20 The Data Journey Shawn Winterburn, CEO, and Co owner OQLIS 12:50 Summary and Q&A 13:00 Guest appearance, dialling in from USA Prof Melanie Mitchell (Melanie Mitchell is the Davis Professor at the Santa Fe Institute Her current research focuses on conceptual abstraction, analogy making, and visual recognition in artificial intelligence systems Melanie is the author or editor of six books and numerous scholarly papers in the fields of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and complex systems Her book Complexity: A Guided Tour won the 2010 Phi Beta Kappa Science Book Award and was named by Amazon com as one of the ten best science books of 2009 Her latest book is Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans) 13:30 Q&A 13:40 Refreshments and networking Program
SPANISH CHAMBER EVENTS AI TOOLS &
9:00 Introduction Raluca Pauna 9:10 AI and existing problems still unsolved Raluca Pauna MSc IT Engineer (Buch), MM IS (WITS), Theory of Change post graduate (Stanford, CA ) 9:40 Summary and Q&A 9:50 Coffee break 10:00 Artificial Intelligence for Good: Demystifying AI and its benefits in business and society today Prof Johan Steyn Author, and AI Thought Leader, recognised as one of the Top 50 global voices on Artificial Intelligence (Swiss Cognitive), Founder of aiforbusiness net 10:30 Super Tools for Super Humans Andrew Bosma CTO, and Co owner OQLIS 11:30 Summary and Q&A 11:40 Coffee break 12:00 Detecting Solar Panels from Satellite Image Data using Machine Learning Ryan Shackleton, Software Engineer OQLIS SPANSHCHAMBER OFCOMMERCENSOUTHAFRCA
WORKSHOP
PAGE 26
"When women become leaders they offer different skill sets and bring in the maternal instincts that every being yearns for and this introduces cultural and structural differences which encourages effective solutions This also brings about the creative and unique sense of awareness that allows for individuals to dig deeper into detail to avoid any errors. Women leaders according to research have a huge impact on the bottom line numbers"
“More than ever, I am aware of the need to support and celebrate each other I like to believe I am part of a global support group network of 3 5 billion people Imagine: if you can fall back on the 3 5 billion sisters, and the many good men who are with us, what could we possibly not achieve?” Nicole Kidman Therefore, whilst we proactively celebrate the achievements of women in August annually, we also want to take a moment to celebrate our male colleagues As the Spanish Chamber of Commerce RSA strives for gender equality, we see it as important to ensure that we are recognising and equally representing, respecting and supporting all genders!
INSPIRATIONAL TALKS
"My journey in climbing the corporate ladder has been with ease I used what you would call the performance currency and relationship currency. I worked hard and put in a lot of effort in whatever opportunity was given to me This earned me a seat at the table and I have been fortunate enough to be recognised by the leadership in the organisations that I have worked for" What does leadership mean to you?
PAGE 28
"Leadership means a lot of things to me , its about using your purpose to support others through connecting with the team and in owning input and output in such a way that the results are achieved as collective Leadership also means respecting and trusting others and focusing on strength and not weakness as well as bringing out the best in the teams".
What do you think are the top 3 benefits of having more women leaders in companies?
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA
TSHEPO NCUBE Head Global Corporates Africa at ABSA and Vice President of the SCC RSA -28-
“Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles ” Tina Fey Even when immersed in a toxic environment, we can stand tall by appreciating our values, strengths and growth areas Whilst there might be plenty of reasons to fall victim, we will all be so much richer for tapping into our inner resources and mentor our networks and act from a place of empowerment.
Did you climb up the corporate ladder with ease or difficulty?
WOMENWHOINSPIREOTHERWOMEN
PAGE 29
What do you think are the top 3 benefits of having more women leaders in companies?
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA INSPIRATIONAL TALKS
Do you think toxic leadership can be dealt with through leadership/management training?
Do you have an outstanding success story of young professionals that you have proudly mentored?
HELEEN WRIGHT Director of Moonwater Chartered Accountants and Girls for Art
"A struggling youngster battled for four years to pass his CIMA exams I took him under my wing and agreed that if he fail again, he will forfeit his salary in December (off course he wouldn’t, but he didn’t know that) I mentored him through all his assignments and he passed with distinction.
"Don’t try to be a man".
"Women are better listeners, prefer finding solutions as opposed to confrontation and bring different perspectives and insights to the table" What advice would you offer to a woman pursuing leadership in fields traditionally dominated by men?
What does leadership mean to you?
"Being respected for your influence/contribution and your ability to support people in improving themselves and achieve their goals"
Today he is a highly rated cost expert in an international law firm"
"No, toxic leaders choose unethical behavior to achieve their goals and training is not going to change their nature Unless there is accountability and consequences, they will not change their behavior".
-29-
What do you think are the top 3 benefits of having more women leaders in companies? "Women embrace collaboration; Women add diversity to problem solving; Women value accountability and interpersonal relationships"
What do you think can be done to attract, inspire and retain women leaders in the corporate world?
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA INSPIRATIONAL TALKS JULIE MARIE
"I’m currently on a path of greater self confidence and a greater sense of my worth, value and contribution to my company as a result of Management allowing me to the freedom to explore and experience This has taken a lifetime of being comfortable in my space However, with my current company, it’s been a journey of growth and self development from the day I joined over 4 years ago".
"A good leader requires many skill sets: has integrity; a strong motivator; has empathy; is supportive to name but a few However, it also means not being afraid to roll up your sleeves occasionally and doing the ground work and being prepared to coach their team to success through empowerment and skills development" Business Development Manager at Polyroads
"Embrace tough questions and learn as fast as you can! Accept there will be challenges that male colleagues won’t have to face however never self doubt!"
-30PAGE 30
Have you managed to unleash the diamond within during your corporate journey? If yes, how long did that take you?
"I think so. Through training, they can come to understand that leaders and managers are co dependent and that both need to bring their own strengths to the table Leaders are go getters and set goals Managers are hands on and keep the wheels turning through strategy and implementation" What does leadership mean to you?
"Flexible schedules to accommodate ‘life’s surprises’; Adjust company culture around certain biases; Empower women with the right access, motivations and experiences; Create an environment of transparency and a culture of trust" What advice would you offer to a woman pursuing leadership in fields traditionally dominated by men?
Do you think toxic leadership can be dealt with through leadership/management training?
OLIVIA WADI Account Manager at AirFrance/KLM -31-
"Companies need to believe that women are capable, when a woman is appointed it must be made clear that the leadership role was granted based on merit and when women become leaders they should be encouraged to mentor other women".
What do you think can be done to attract, inspire and retain women leaders in the corporate world?
CHAMBER
Have you managed to unleash the diamond within during your corporate journey? If yes, how long did that take you?
"Focus on the task at hand and always put your best foot forward this will dismantle the narrative that women CAN’T do it"
"Yes to some extent but the company should look at its corporate culture to see if it allows for toxicity to thrive" Did you climb up the corporate ladder with ease or difficulty?
PAGE 31
INSPIRATIONAL TALKS
SOUTH
SPANISH OF COMMERCE AFRICA
"Leadership is to inspire; trusting your team and leading from behind"
"A little of both". What does leadership mean to you?
"Within the tourism industry women make up 75% of the industry however approx 10% of tourism leaders are women most leadership roles are men" What advice would you offer to a woman pursuing leadership in fields traditionally dominated by men?
"No I’m still in that journey" Does your industry/sector prioritize diverse board membership and leadership teams?
Do you think toxic leadership can be dealt with through leadership/management training?
What do you think can be done to attract, inspire and retain women leaders in the corporate world?
PAGE 32
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA INSPIRATIONAL TALKS
"No, it does not But females are changing it inevitable Currently and for the past decade, 80 to 90% of students in most Veterinary universities are females; therefore, the sector is naturally evolving" What do you think are the top 3 benefits of having more women leaders in companies?
Have you ever suffered from “imposter syndrome” as a woman navigating in corporate settings? "Yes, on recurrent occasions As a woman that is breaking boundaries in wildlife conservation and science, I get continuously questioned; despite having proven success, my subconscious inevitable question myself Therefore the importance of finding my internal strength and being true to myself is key"
"I believe it's important that women empower other women The women that already are in leadership roles in other environments such as science, need to share experiences and encourage other women, showing that despite challenges, it's possible and worth it Additionally, the key role that females play in families and the challenges combining it with work in a corporate high position it must be addressed and the system need to facilitate it" Have you managed to unleash the diamond within during your corporate journey? If yes, how long did that take you?
"Better problem solving approaches, better organization skills with proactive actions and more empathy" What advice would you offer to a woman pursuing leadership in fields traditionally dominated by men?
FABIOLA QUESADA CEO of Wild Spirit Foundation -32-
Does your industry/sector prioritize diverse board membership and leadership teams?
"It is a combination of characteristics that make you stand up and the ones surrounding you: A clear target, empathy, team building, innovation and problem solving" Do you have an outstanding success story of young professionals that you have proudly mentored? "I believe so; I trust I’m creating an example worldwide for many young women vets, scientists and corporates to follow".
"I believe that I have, that it’s a diamond that needs to continue to be polished to shine at its best I believe that as we grow personally and professionally, this diamond increases with us, and we become better"
"We are making history; the opportunities are there, stay focused on your dreams, and therefore do not allow anyone to stop you, especially not your inner fears" What does leadership mean to you?
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA RESEARCH
The South African economy offers great opportunities for its investors, as it serves as a gateway and launchpad to Sub Saharan Africa This is due to its strong and vibrant economy, as well as its membership in the dominant organisations such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), G 20, and World Trade Organization (WTO), BRICS and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This gives potential investors special access to these diverse markets South Africa boasts of its abundance in natural and mineral resources, which provides investors with access to a thriving regional market that gives companies competitive edge in the different sectors that they choose to invest in South Africa is also constantly working towards overcoming the challenges that may hinder its progress in social and economic development
The subtle, yet convincing whisperstoinvestinSA.
PUSH FACTORS FOR INVESTING IN SA
The low cost of conducting business in South Africa is a pull factor, backed up by a welcoming climate and competitive edge in the region. 2 AboomingemergingMarket.
The phrase "precious metal" applies to gold, silver, platinum, and the other platinum group metals (PGMs), which include palladium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium. They are precious metals because they are resistant to acid and other chemicals and do not erode easily (Conradie 2009: 2) 3 Plenteousnaturalresources. -34-
A significant number of multinational corporations have chosen South Africa as their preferred investment location because of the advantages of investing there 1
Priority Shikwambana | International Trade Officer Intern at Spanish Chamber of CommerceinRSA
On 24 March 2022, the country held its 4th South African Investment Conference (SAIC), in order to discuss investment opportunities and challenges with various stakeholders within the public and private sector across the world This is particularly important because the country ought to work towards a COVID 19 recovery plan, as the pandemic has severely affected business development
PAGE 34
Multinational corporations have the greatest footprint in South Africa.
South Africa has an abundance of precious metals
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA RESEARCH South Africa is the world’s biggest producer of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), particularly gold, and is home to approximately 100 listed mining companies with operations in the country According to the Trademap SA Import Report in 2021, SA exported products that amount to 123,734,050 USD, with minerals at the top of the list amounting to 34,905,391 USD. South Africa is a good member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade deals with the majority of South Africa's main trading partners have improved access to foreign markets Through numerous deals and participation in Regional Economic Communities (RECs), favourable access to significant export markets has been gained (InvestSA 2018:7)
PAGE 35
South Africa has also recently signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which has been signed by many countries across the African continent. According to the World Bank (2020), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) deal will establish the world's largest free trade zone by empowering each participating country The agreement brings together 1.3 billion individuals from 55 nations, with a total GDP of US$3 4 trillion If utilized efficiently, the agreement has the potential to raise many citizens out of extreme poverty Just like the AfCTA agreement, South Africa has many more significant trade agreements that offer great exposure to the global economic market.
Textile Clothing and leather products Technical industries including IT, communication, and electronics. Consumer Goods (mineral and natural products) Green economy industries Agro processing (food, beverages and tobacco)
Equipment for capital/transportation, metals and electrical, machinery and apparatus (railways, airline, and water)
South Africa also has sectors that are open for investment in the following sectors:
In the wise words of the great Sociologist, W E B Du Bois, “nations reel and stagger on their way” Notwithstanding the fact that there are challenges that may hinder or slow down the progress of investment, South Africa remains an attractive business hub with great potential. -35-
AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA
4
Great exposure to a global market.
UPCOMING UNIT AVAILABLE 1 October 2022 Intruder alarm & A/C installed. (Note loose furniture not included, pictorial only)! 9 Somerset Office Park, 5 Libertas Road, Bryanston. Lower Ground Floor Studio Space. 53m2 space with own access, toilet and kitchenette (self-contained)!
Monthly Rental: R 7000.00 (Excl. VAT) Covered parking available (per bay): R 400.00 (Excl VAT) Connection to generator available: R 350.00 (Excl. VAT) Lights & Water over and above (separately metered) 3 Month holding deposit required Jason Brown 082 940 6691
600 Million People Without Power: Africa’sDilemma&TheRenewable EnergySolution
Electricity is the backbone of society It’s used everywhere and plays multiple roles in people’s lives. It provides safety, further education, and improves quality of life, to name a few Currently our infrastructure does not meet the necessary demand, which is where we are presented with an advantageous opportunity: renewable energy Renewable energy has steadily taken over the world and Africa may soon follow, and could even potentially become the leading force With infrastructure not as well established as other countries, we find ourselves at a crossroads, fossil fuels, or renewable energy. I firmly believe that renewable energy is the way forward, but before we get into it what exactly is the dilemma Africa is facing?
THE DILEMMA Africa is growing exponentially By the end of the century, the population is expected to quadruple With approximately 600 million people in Africa without access to electricity, one could only imagine how much that would increase by the end of the century Going off the population prediction, by 2100, we could well enter the territory of over a billion people without access to electricity In addition, by 2050, demand for electricity will quadruple between 2010 2040 With current demand already overwhelming the precarious power grid, without acting soon we will find ourselves in a crisis Which leads me to believe that the two big issues exacerbating energy poverty in Africa are inadequate infrastructure and overwhelming electricity demand Inadequate infrastructure Access or lack thereof, plays a massive role in energy inequality faced in Africa With remote communities scattered across sub Saharan Africa, we find two thirds of the population 600 million, without electricity. -38-
PAGE 38
Author: Ashton Ngwenya | Talent Manager AfricaatPolyglotGroup
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA RESEARCH
Africa is home to 54 vibrant countries, over 1.2 billion people, and unfortunately, nearly 600 million people without power.
Africa is facing an energy crisis Energy poverty and unstable electricity, exacerbated by governments and economic glass ceilings has seen Africa being pushed between a hard rock and a hard place situation. With the world watching and environmental activists touting Africa as the next green utopia that will skip the fossil fuel problems and mistakes the rest of the world has made we are presented with a call to action. Which one? Who knows?
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA RESEARCH
Electricity is unreliable, and in South Africa, energy grid overloading occurs 40 50 days a year. This is not just a South African problem, however, their power instability does affect other countries For example, in 2021, Zimbabwe faced prolonged blackouts due to a surge in imported South African power. Zimbabwe does not produce enough of its own power and consequently relies on neighbouring countries like South Africa and Mozambique to meet demand With Africa’s rapidly growing population and urbanisation, more and more people are going to need power With demand becoming greater, Africa is presented with a ticking time bomb how they move forward will determine the course for 16% of the world’s population.
Obstacles in the way of power grid connections include; sheer distance, unsuitable terrain, and for small localised populations, it might not be seen as worth it when balancing costs (for telecommunications companies). Planning is urgently required to address this issue, especially as six countries within sub Saharan Africa are in the top 10 rapidly expanding economies Electricity demand Countries across Africa are heavily affected by power outages, brought on by surges. Electricity demand is at an all time high, in Africa; it increases around 3% annually, the highest of any continent, yet currently, it can’t be sustained
Off grid solar acts very similarly to on grid, but instead of excess electricity being sent back onto the grid and repurposed, the off grid produced energy goes into battery storage, which can later be reused at night and on cloudy days While battery storage packs themselves can be somewhat cost prohibitive, the benefits of the electricity given, far outweigh the initial expense. -39-
The problem of infrastructure encompasses multiple elements. However, connecting to the power grid is one of the predominant issues
Renewable solutions small scale & large scale
PAGE 39
To address these two massive issues, we will be looking at renewable solutions from both a small and large scale For the issue of lack of infrastructure, I believe that small scale renewables like off grid solar and mini grids are the way to go They are quick, actionable solutions that don’t put added pressure onto the main power grid For the issue of electricity demand, large scale renewable projects such as wind and hydropower have been highlighted Wind is the most energy efficient, and hydropower is the cheapest renewable energy, currently They both provide excellent amounts of electricity and are both becoming cheaper or equal to the cost of fossil fuel sources like coal As with any energy source, there are up front costs However, there is a downward trend in the price of renewable energy, so much so that they are becoming a more realistic and accessible avenue for Africa to implement Small Scale Off grid Solar: The inadequate infrastructure which prevents the proliferation of electricity is based on the sheer distance between remote areas and the power grid Unable to connect the two, those living far out are left without power, which is where off grid solar comes in Off grid solar, as in the name, refers to solar energy that is produced and generated without being connected to the utility power grid
The wind power potential in Africa is mighty, with much of the wind being faster than 8 5 metres per second In fact, a study found that wind potential in Africa is at almost 180,000 terawatt hours (TWh) per annum, which is enough to supply the entire continent’s electricity demands 250 times over With wind being the most efficient renewable source, it is a perfect choice when choosing between fossil fuels and renewable energy
Large Scale Wind
Mini grid: There’s also a mini grid It is a power grid that is significantly smaller and acts independently of the national grid. Power grids, unlike batteries, are a more community based approach When neighbours generate excess electricity, it gets put into the grid, and then is used by others It’s a win win situation Having a mini power grid will provide people in those remote communities with a number of benefits These include; night safety, better opportunities for further education (e g , having a light on to be able to do homework at night), and increasing jobs. For jobs in Nigeria and Kenya, which have some mini grid programs, they are expected to increase job positions in the decentralised renewable energy (DRE) sector; Kenya at 17,000, and Nigeria at 52,000+ jobs
Hydropower: Hydropower, just like other sources of renewable energy, is underdeveloped in Africa Yet, it is Africa’s most important form of renewable power, with the end of 2014 having 28GW of hydro capacity installed on the continent
PAGE 40
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA RESEARCH
Coal accounted for 22 1% of Africa’s energy generation in 2020 In South Africa alone, coal supplies 87% of their electricity Coal makes up a large part of Africa’s energy, yet when placed against wind, it is outperformed When comparing coal to wind, from an efficiency perspective, wind provides 1,164% of its original input of energy, compared to coal at 29% Wind is also a cheaper solution It’s currently at 60c to 70c per kilowatt hour, 10c cheaper than solar and 50% less than the predicted building costs of the new coal power plants, Medupi and Kusile This trend is growing globally, with two thirds of wind and solar being able to generate cheaper electricity than their coal counterparts In addition, as the price of solar and wind falls there are predictions that those projects could undercut the cost of up to 800 gigawatts (GW) worth of coal plants
The countries with the most hydropower potential include Ethiopia and Kenya, at 260,000 and 40,000 GWh, respectively Hydropower is a very cost effective renewable solution The plants have a long life (50 100 years), and worldwide, hydroelectricity remains the lowest cost energy option, and has the most potential for usage in large scale / utility endeavours -40-
SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTH AFRICA RESEARCH Ethiopia Malawi Mozambique Namibia Zambia Hydropower is a very critical energy source for a number of countries. 90% of the national electricity generation for: is from hydropower Over the last decade, there have been a number of new hydropower developments commissioned If all the dams expected to be completed by 2030 are constructed, electricity generation capacity across Southern and Eastern Africa is expected to double Africa is in a great position to meet the ever increasing demand for electricity across the continent in a sustainable way. While it is exciting and an imaginable prospect; it requires informed decision making and careful long term consideration and planning While some have put forward the idyllic ‘leapfrogging’ scenario, it would be naive to think that this will be easily achieved As mentioned earlier, it requires planning and informed decisions; these all require time, and money These issues are not environmental; they are economic, political, and human. The coal and mining industries provide a lot of jobs; in South Africa alone, more than 120,000 people are dependent on coal jobs This echoes the importance of careful planning
Adopting renewable energy is a very real possibility and a cure to Africa’s ever expanding demand for electricity However, we must be careful to not become over excited with the possibility of Africa becoming a green utopia, and instead focus on the reality and likelihood of this being achievable.
Rather than leap frogging, I believe we need to take a small leap of faith and start with actioning small yet feasible projects like off grid solar and mini grids The projects are essential for 600 million people to have electricity. In addition, we must explore the large scale renewable energy that will support our continent With renewable energy becoming even cheaper than coal, now is a good time to invest in those projects and reconsider the need to build coal plants that could well be obsolete in the near future Africa is an incredibly rich and diverse country that could well lead the world into the green future. We just need to have some faith in renewable energy, investment and government cooperation -41-
PAGE 41
BOOK A FREE COFFEE MEETING WITH US! marketing@spaincc.org
www.spaincc.org SCC INSIDER SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SOUTH AFRICA DesignbyJokinBilbao,InternationalTradeAdvisorIntern