South Africa's Anglo American Platinum (Angloplat) has launched the prototype of the first fuel cell powered underground locomotive, in a bid to demonstrate the viability of platinum-based fuel cells as an alternative energy source while helping the country meet its energy and job creation challenges.

Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll, speaking at last week's launch, described the event as "a leap forward for fuel cells.

"The platinum-based hydrogen fuel cells, used to power the locomotive we are unveiling today, offer one of the most exciting opportunities for South Africa in the green economy," Carroll said.

"At Anglo American, we believe that with platinum at its heart, a South African fuel cell industry would support the country's drive for jobs and help to meet its energy challenges."

According to Angloplat, hydrogen-powered fuel cell locomotives are more economical and environmentally friendly than traditional rail transport, being powered by a cleaner and more secure energy source.

A fuel cell is essentially a gas battery that produces electricity as long as it is fed with hydrogen gas. The fuel cells provide availablity 24-7, and there is no need to change or recharge the battery it replaces, which means less downtime and increased productivity.

"These innovative locomotives will provide us with an opportunity to mine platinum in a more economic, energy-secure and environmentally benign manner," said Angloplat CEO Neville Nicolau. "The locomotives will not require any electricity from the grid to function, and will not emit noxious gases."

The locomotive was developed in collaboration with Vehicle Projects, Trident South Africa, and Battery Electric. The partnership will construct five fuel cell locomotives which will be tested for underground use at one of Angloplat's mines, after which they will be integrated into the company's mining operations.

According to Angloplat, fuel cell technology is a strategic emerging industry, and the locomotive project is part of the company's collaboration with South African government and technology partners to explore the potential of fuel cells, with an eye to the industrialisation and beneficiation of platinum group metals (PGMs).

"This collaborative work is intended to enable the development of a local fuel cell manufacturing, distribution, marketing and servicing industry which will be globally competitive," Angloplat said.

SAinfo reporter

South Africa will add another international sporting event to its schedule when Durban hosts an Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) Children's Series Race on 2 June, the day before the Comrades Marathon.

A member of AIMS, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA), which receives global recognition from the world body for its contribution to sports' industry, both locally and gloablly, presented a successful bid to the organisation to host the event in Southern Africa for the very first time.

The AIMS Children's Series Race consists of a 10km race and 5km fun run and is aimed at exposing young people to the joys and benefits of running, while also providing them with a tangible opportunity to be a part of the Comrades Marathon experience.

Estimated entry

It is estimated that over 5000 children between the ages of nine and 19 will participate in the event.

The race starts and finishes at the Hoy Park in Durban and the route passes along the very scenic "Golden Mile" on Durban's beach front.

Vice President of AIMS, Martha Morales, who is responsible for the AIMS Children's Series, will be in attendance. "I would like to congratulate the Comrades Marathon Association for its valuable contribution to the social program of AIMS, that is the AIMS Children's Series," she said in a statement.

"South Africa, the birthplace of some of the best athletes [in the world], is the best place to fulfil our objectives," she added.

'Leave a legacy'

"This program is for AIMS and its members and signifies a strong bond of solidarity, cooperation and the best tool to leave a legacy for the growing running fraternity and the world at large."

While the main focus of the event is on the youth, both the 10km race and the 5km fun runs are open to participants of all ages, be they Comrades Marathon runners, their family members, friends or ordinary sport enthusiasts.

The race is a pre-entry event and entries are already open and will be accepted until Wednesday, 30 May at the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics Offices at the Kings Park Athletics Stadium. Online entries are available via the following links:

• 10km run
• 5km run

• Prizes

  There will be lots of prizes for the participants, including individual prize money for the first 10 finishers in the 10km race.

  First place finishers in the male and female races will take home R1 000 each. Schools have not been left out as the top five schools with most finishers will each walk away with prize money.

  All finishers will receive medals and T-shirts and there will be lucky draws too for all finishers.

  For more information, contact KwaZulu-Natal Athletics on (031) 312 9374 or send an e-mail.

  About AIMS

  AIMS is an association of more than 320 race organisations located in over 95 countries and territories. It held its first World Congress in 1982 after two years of work went into setting up the association.

  Its objectives are:

• to foster and promote distance running throughout the world
• to work with the International Association of Athletic Federations on all matters relating to international road races
• to exchange information, knowledge and expertise among the members of the Association

• SAinfo reporter

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Cities

Joburg is the City of Gold, Cape Town the Mother City, PE the Friendly City ...

The 2012 Tour de Free State, a five-day tour backed by world cycling's governing body, the UCI, takes on extra significance in its second year because it will be the only Olympic qualifying road race for women in Africa.

The success of the inaugural Tour de Free State in 2011 opened the door for the second running of the annual event to be featured as a UCI 2.1 WE race by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), making it an Olympic qualifier.

Besides being the first ever UCI women's road cycling tour in South Africa, the tour, which runs from 23 to 27 May, is also the last opportunity for nations to increase their national rankings before the UCI's 31 May deadline for qualification for the London Olympic Games.

Currently, South Africa is ranked 17th with 241.5 points. As it stands today, Brazil is in 13th place, the "hot seat", with 287 points, leaving the South African women needing 47 points to make the grade.

Tough competition

With time running short, the nations that trail South Africa in the rankings will be out in full force to move up in the standings, so the competition in the Tour de Free State is sure to be tough.

"The top five teams on the UCI women's elite road cycling national rankings can send four riders to the Olympics," explained Barry Austin, Cycling South Africa's national road manager and Olympic code manager. "Teams six to 13 can send three riders and teams 14 to 23 can send two.

"The Tour de Free State will see battles for the top 13, as in South Africa's case as we are striving to qualify three riders for the Olympics, as well as fierce competition for the final five places, with the likes of Sweden and Russia vying for those points to send four riders instead of three.

A major benefit

"So the impact is great, but also fair, as we have to deserve our slots, but having the race on home ground will be a major benefit," he added.

Although there will be a major focus on the women's UCI elite racing, the open elite races will allow for the participation of men, from professional to amateur road racing teams.

For the UCI and Open Elite races, participants can register through the Cycling South Africa website.

In addition, community races of 10km will be staged to provide communities with the opportunity to raise money for local charities and schools. This will be done by cyclists obtaining sponsors for the number of kilometres they complete.

Interested parties and schools can obtain the forms from the Tour de Free State website.

TOUR DE FREE STATE RACE SCHEDULE

Day 1: 23 May

UCI race – Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve (Winburg), Virginia, Theunissen, ends Brandfort
Community race – Brandfort

Day 2: 24 May

UCI race – Jagersfontein, ends Bloemfontein

Day 3: 25 May

Elite open – Clarens
Community race – Ficksburg

Day 4: 26 May

UCI & Elite open – Clarens, Bethlehem, Fouriesburg, ends Clarens
Community race – Clarens

Day 5: 27 May

UCI & Elite open – Clarens, Phuthaditjhaba, ends Clarens

SAinfo reporter

International models on how to boost the development of the ICT sector in Africa will come under the spotlight during the inaugural ICT Indaba taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 4 to 7 June.

The event, organised by the Department of Communications and endorsed by the International Telecommunications Union, aims to formulate an African Agenda to promote ICT as a catalyst for social and economic development on the continent.

According to the department, hundreds of delegates from Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America, including ICT executives and government representatives, will take part in the 2012 ICT Indaba, while ICT regulators from more than 50 countries on the continent have also been invited.

One of the keynote speakers at the Indaba will be ITU deputy secretary-general Houlin Zhao, who will present a paper on the role of ICTs in socio-economic development.

Tech gurus peer into Africa's crystal ball

One of the highlights of the Indaba will be a "crystal ball exercise" in which eight international experts will discuss strategies for entrepreneurs and predict the future of technology in Africa and the world over the next 15-20 years.

The crystal ball "gurus" will include Dimension Data chairman Andile Ngcaba, Japan Science Agency director Shig Okaya, Global Innovation Summit (Silicon Valley) executive chairman Alfred Watkins, Intel Capital Africa director Sam Mensah, and Microsoft Middle East and Africa regional head Zaki Khoury.

Vijay Tharumartnam of Multi Development Corporation will speak on the Malaysian "Silicon Valley experience" during a session devoted to "developing smart cities in the African context", in which there will also be presentations on Bangalore, Indian's Silicon Valley, Mexico's Guadalajara, and Egypt.

Developing country models for skills development

Speakers from Rwanda, China, India, and Cuba will discuss developing country models for building and retaining the necessary skills base for a robust ICT industry. These will include Miche Bezy, associate director of Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda, who will look at how Rwanda is producing a competitive ICT skills base.

Dr Jun Xia of the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications will discuss the Chinese model of advancing rural development through ICTs, the Indian model will look at conceptualising e-skills development programmes, while the Cuban model will share experiences on producing industry-ready graduates.

Other sessions will focus on broadband connnectivity and policies for advancing the knowledge-based economy in Africa, while speakers from the World Bank and African Development Bank will address a key session looking at infrastructure development as a basis for integrated ICT initiatives.

Communications Minister Dina Pule said the ICT Indaba sought to ensure that ICT fulfilled its potential as an enabler of economic growth and job creation, not only in South Africa but throughout the continent.

"I take pleasure in inviting our compatriots across the Diaspora to our country to partner with us, the ICT industry, labour and civil society as we enter a bold partnership that seeks to shape the development of the continent," Pule said in a statement on Tuesday.

SAinfo reporter

The inaugural 36ONE MTB Challenge, held in Oudtshoorn in South Africa's Western Cape province over the past weekend, broke new athletic endurance ground and celebrated the birth of a new format of mountain bike challenge.

The 361km race, which followed a relatively circular loop, and which had a 36.1-hour cut-off limit, revealed a unique hybrid event incorporating elements of stage racing, marathon racing and 24-hour racing.

"It's an event that challenges in so many ways because it requires both day time and night time riding," said Carel Herholdt of Dryland Event Management, the company that manages the 36ONE MTB Challenge.

'Non-stop'

"It's also a non-stop race, which really tests your endurance capacity and pacing judgment."

The event started at 21:00 on Friday, 4 May, with a cut-off at 09:06 on Sunday, 6 May.

"A total of 89% of the entrants completed the event, which shows that while it offers a significant endurance challenge, it's not out of reach for the majority of committed mountain bikers and even weekend warriors," said Herholdt.

"The team that finished third in the relay section, Wilderness Wheelers Grand Masters, comprised four riders with an average age of 62. That just shows how well this race accommodates all types of riders."

Steven Liptz, co-founder of 36ONE Asset Management, the title sponsor, attended the event and was amazed by its impact.

"Remarkable event'

"If you consider that the race distance is close to half that of the entire Cape Epic, and that the riders rode through night and day and some into night again, in temperatures that ranged from close to zero and up to over 30 degrees Celsius, you realise what a remarkable event this is," he remarked.

"We plan to grow the 36ONE MTB Challenge in future, both in terms of rider value and participant numbers," Liptz added.

"Because of the relay option, it's an event that anyone can actually be a part of, which makes it quite special."

Men's solo category winner, Christiaan van Zyl, a 40-year-old businessman from Cape Town, was full of praise for the inaugural edition of the event.

'Very fortunate'

"We were very fortunate it was the 'super' full moon and there was no cloud cover. It really made the night-time riding easier, but obviously it was essential to have a decent headlight too," he said.

"I didn't go to the race with the aim of winning, but I did want to do well, as I really enjoy my endurance events," he added.

"The event was extremely well organised," Van Zyl continued. "There was a refreshment point every 30km or so with all sorts of good food on offer. You don't really need a back-up team.

"The route wasn't too technical – more an endurance test than a skill test, but very worthwhile."

Results

First across the finish line in a time of 15 hours, 27 minutes and 13 seconds was Team C4D, a two-rider team comprising Jacques van Staden and Danzil Afrika. Incredibly, after a total distance of 361km, they edged race-long rivals, Tony Conlon and Pete Stopforth of Marsilio Projects, by just one second!

The first multi-rider team (non-relay) home in 18 hours, 01 minute and 46 seconds was the three-man Screaming Eagles unit of Colin du Plessis, Jan Zonnestein and Paul Micklewood.

Christiaan van Zyl won the solo men's race in a time of 18 hours, 17 minutes and 41 seconds. Stephen Drew (18:59.39) and Kevin Taljaard (19:22.22) finished second and third respectively in an event that saw the majority of the entrants (both solo and teams) finish inside 24 hours.

In the women's solo race, highly decorated veteran athlete and former Absa Cape Epic winner, Hannele Steyn, claimed the honours, finishing an impressive sixth overall in 19:43.24.

SAinfo reporter

Southern Africa's biggest tourism showcase, Indaba 2012, takes place at Durban's International Convention Centre from 12 to 15 May.

Despite a general flat to downward trend worldwide, South Africa's tourism industry has been performing strongly, a fact that is reflected in the more than 13 000 delegates from around the world who are expected to attend Indaba 2012.

1 800 exhibitors, 200 hosted international buyers

Approximately 1 800 exhibitors will showcase new products reflecting the latest global trends in tourism, while representatives of influential industry stakeholders, along with over 200 international hosted buyers, will be guests at the event.

"To be successful in the tourism industry requires the joint effort, hard work and cohesion of all partners to achieve continued tourism growth," South African Tourism CEO Thulani Nzima said in a recent statement.

Indaba would facilitate this effort by providing "the best platforms and matchmaking opportunities to conduct business."

Digital competitiveness, Indaba App

The programme will include three speed marketing sessions focusing on sustainable and responsible tourism, heritage and cultural tourism, and adventure tourism.

TripAdvisor, the influential travel website on which travellers get to review their travel experiences, will present a workshop on digital competitiveness, which was identified as a key focus area during Indaba 2011.

In an effort to reduce Indaba 2012's carbon footprint, an Indaba App has been developed, available for download from the event's website for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android devices.

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has said that his department aims to increase South Africa's foreign tourist arrivals from seven-million in 2009 to 15-million by 2020, at the same time growing tourism's contribution to the economy from R189-billion to R499-billion and creating 225 000 new jobs.

Over eight-million tourists visited South Africa in 2011 - a 3.3% increase over the 2010 World Cup year that would, if football-specific arrivals were not counted, have amounted to a 7.4% increase over 2010, well ahead of the global average of 4.4% annual growth.

SAinfo reporter

Joburg is the City of Gold, Cape Town the Mother City, PE the Friendly City ...

Mobile Money Africa 2012, the largest industry gathering of its kind on continent, takes place at Johannesburg's Southern Sun Montecasino from 14 to 17 May, promising the latest angles on a highly competitive and fast-developing market in which South African companies are closely involved.

Sonum Puri, programme director for Mobile Money Africa, believes South Africa is not only a competitive mobile money market, but a good representation of the different business models that are transpiring from banks, mobile network operators, third-party operators, social media and online retailers and payment providers.

'A great chance'

"The event will be a great chance to show the mobile money ecosystem can grow to encompass many new stakeholders in the marketplace, which means that people can take lots of examples from the South African market and apply them to their own businesses," Puri said in a statement this week.

"Much has been documented about the potential of mobile money in East Africa, but for the first time, the Mobile Money Africa conference will be exploring the rise of mobile financial services in West African countries such as Senegal and the Ivory Coast," Puri added.

"The event will also be looking at the integration of mobile money with online channels to penetrate the e-commerce market and tap into a new customer base."

Nigerian market

Nigeria, in particular, is predicted to be another big market for mobile money, as research shows that only 25 percent of the Nigerian population hase bank accounts or access to financial services.

"Last May, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued licenses to 16 mobile money operators, and in the last couple of months we have seen a number of providers such as Monitise, Pagatech, eTranzact, and United Bank of Africa announce the launch of new mobile money services," Puri said.

"The Nigerian mobile money market is already valued at US$25-billion, and mobile money users are expected to reach 709-million by 2015."

Tanzania is one of the fastest growing mobile money markets in the world. Puri says the country currently boasts mobile phone penetration of 49%, with four active mobile money businesses, the largest of which is Vodacom’s M-PESA, which has over two-million active users.

MTN offering

"Visa recently unveiled a mobile prepaid product, which will be offered by MTN in Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda, and other big growth, markets especially for remittances," Puri said.

"The central bank of West Africa is playing an active role in encouraging private sector players to roll out mobile money services, and the central bank has also promoted the launch of the new Gim mobile service in West Africa."

Mobile Money Africa 2012 forms part of the Connected Africa Forum, which will showcase the evolution of mobile lifeline services and applications in Africa, and highlight the evolving intersection between mobile money, mobile health and mobile agriculture.

Speakers

The speakers include: Yolande van Wyk, CEO, eWallet Solutions, First National Bank; Neil Ahlsten, New Business Development Director, Google; Francis Matseketsa, Mobile Money Executive, Econet; Lowell Campbell, Head of Agent Banking, Standard Bank; Stanley Jacobs, Group Head of E-Business, Fortis Mobile Money; Stanley Henning, COO/DMD, Uganda Telecom; Kelvin Twissa, M-Commerce Director, Airtel Tanzania; and Yinka Adedeji, CEO, Afripay/United Bank Africa.

A pre-conference workshop takes place on 14 May. The conference itself will be held on 15 and 16 May, to be followed by a post-conference site visit on 17 May.

SAinfo reporter

Joburg is the City of Gold, Cape Town the Mother City, PE the Friendly City ...

20 April 2012

South African BMX star Sifiso "Skizo" Nhlapo has confirmed that he will jet back for the SA National BMX Championships, which form part of Pietermaritzburg's new CSA KZN All Africa Challenge, taking place from 25 to 30 April.

Nhlapo made the final round of the BMX at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but crashed in the medal-deciding race. The following year he crashed in training and suffered a fractured neck. After 10 months on the sidelines, he returned to capture silver at the 2010 UCI BMX World Championships in Pietermaritzburg.

Only Nhlapo and women's rider Teagan O'Keeffe, who has been training at the UCI's World Cycling Centre in Switzerland, are in line to qualify for the London Olympics. They need semi-final placings at the World Championships in Birmingham in May if they want to book their places for London.

Hungry

With Nhlapo desperately trying to regain full fitness and find the form which sent him to the top just a couple of years ago, he, along with many other up-and-coming local riders, will be hungry for a strong performance at Alexandra Park in KwaZulu-Natal's capital.

"We're very excited to have Sifiso (Nhlapo) back for the nationals," Cycling South Africa's national director of BMX, Margot Gerber, said in a statement this week. "The likes of Kyle Dodd and Dean Holdstock, who have also been going well recently, will also be there so we're really holding thumbs for a great event."

Eugene Eggar, Cycling South Africa's national BMX track coordinator, commented: "We've moved away from our previous system of three events each with two legs, which you are able to earn points from, to a once-off championship event which falls into line with what the UCI is trying to get everyone to do."

CSA KZN All Africa Challenge

The CSA KZN All Africa Challenge features the disciplines of track, mountain biking and BMX, and the BMX community, particularly, is hopeful the event will provide their sport with a big boost.

"The track is undergoing a huge rehabilitation at the moment and our aim is that once we've had the Nationals there, then the Maritzburg BMX club will take over the management of the track," said KZN BMX commissioner Jason Nichol.

"This will be a big step forward for BMX in the region because even though Pietermaritzburg has become the cycling capital of South Africa, BMX numbers in the region are still quite low.

'Grow the sport'

"Hopefully the new track at Alexandra Park, which is central and visible to the community, will really help grow the sport, especially amongst the local community members," he added.

Since the city staged a round of the UCI BMX Supercross last year, some needed changes have been made, which has pleased Eggar.

"Things have been going really well and it's going to be absolutely awesome!" he reckoned. "From the babies right through to the elite, it really will be a great weekend for BMX in South Africa.

"The Supercross guys are the top of the top in the world, so we've had to step things down a bit for our Nationals.

Track changes

"We've taken out the berm jump and made one or two other small changes, but we've put in a six-metres start hill, which is the biggest size allowed at this level, so this track definitely isn't one which just anyone would manage," he added.

"This is not just a Grand National Series event, this is the SA National Champs, so the rider who crosses the line first on Sunday will be crowned SA Champ for 2012 and will be given the number one board for the next year, and some of the guys will really want to do well ahead of the World Champs in Birmingham in September this year," said Nichol.

The SA National BMX Championships form part of the CSA KZN All Africa Challenge and take place at Alexandra Park from 27 to 29 April.

SAinfo reporter

19 April 2012

Historically South Africa's premier tennis venue, Johannesburg's Ellis Park Tennis Stadium is gearing up for a bumper week of wheelchair tennis, featuring some of the world's leading players.

The Acsa South African Open, the country's premier wheelchair tennis event, which forms part of the international circuit, takes place at Ellis Park from 21 to 25 April.

A grade one tour event, it has attracted a top entry from overseas and will allow local players an opportunity of gaining all important world ranking points, and a chance of qualifying for the London Paralympics in August.

'A truly historic venue'

"Ellis Park is a truly historic venue and will be a fitting wheelchair-friendly host for the tournament," tournament director Holger Losch said in a statement.

"The venue has played host to top ATP, WTA and ITF events, including Davis and Fed Cup, and now that our Acsa SA Open is being played at Ellis Park we can honestly say this 'grand old lady' has hosted the best of all tennis events."

Losch continued by saying that preparations were well on track to host a truly memorable tournament. "We have been hard at work in making sure Ellis Park will be a warm and hospitable host. The courts are in good shape and the facilities have been well adapted for the players.

"After successfully hosting the World Wheelchair Tennis Championships last year, we feel in tune to host a great week's tennis in the City of Gold."

Leading South Africans

Already confirmed as entered are South African's top ranked men and women's players Lucas Sithole (world number nine in the Quads Division) and Kgothatso Montjane (world ranked 10 in the Women's Division).

They will be joined by international stars representing Australia, Great Britain, Italy, Scotland, Japan, Poland, Sri Lanka, Germany, Netherlands, France, Brazil, China, Malaysia and Israel.

Notable players that have entered include world number four Marjolein Buis and world number nine Sharon Walraven, both of the Netherlands, in the women's division. In the men's division there will be three players ranked in the top 20 of the world, namely Scotland's Gordon Reid (12), Ben Weekes of Australia (15) and Japanese star Yoshinobu Fujimoto (17).

In the Quads, Andrew Lapthorne of Great Britain is ranked number four and Maro Innocenti of Italy, ranked tenth, join Lucas Sithole in the battle for the title.

Divisions

The tournament will have men's, women's, quads and junior divisions, with each made up of singles and doubles events.

The tournament draw takes place on Friday at 18:00 at the Reef Hotel in Johannesburg, with the opening round starting at 09:00 on Saturday morning.

Round two is scheduled for Sunday, the quarter finals for Monday, semi-finals on Tuesday and the finals on Wednesday.

SAinfo reporter

South Africans have been urged to get out the six-coloured flags, pull on the green and gold t-shirts, and show their support for the country's Olympic and Paralympic athletes on Team SA Fridays.

At a special event to mark the 100-day countdown to the 2012 Olympics at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg on Wednesday, the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) called on South Africans to get behind the men and women who would be representing them in London in July and August.

The new campaign is in line with Magnificent Fridays, a Department of Sport and Recreation-led drive to unite the country behind its national football, cricket, rugby, netball and other sporting teams and competitors.

Magnificent Fridays is modelled on the concept of Football Fridays, the highly successful Brand South Africa initiative that saw South Africans rally as never before behind the national football team, Bafana Bafana, and the country's 2010 Fifa World Cup effort.

Track and field athletes and members of the national men's hockey team, which will be leaving for an Olympic Qualifier tournament in Japan on Thursday, were among those in attendance at Wednesday's launch event, where a number of Team South Africa Ambassadors were announced.

These include Springbok Sevens' star Cecil Africa, former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe, World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els, cricket great Makhaya Ntini, and Cynthia Tshaka, founder of the Sports Hero's walk against HIV/Aids.

"The role of the Team SA Ambassador is to inspire and mentor the Team SA athletes competing at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while encouraging young and old people worldwide to become more active in sport," said Sascoc CEO Tubby Reddy explained.

Team SA mascot Chukuru also showed off his moves at Wednesday's launch, where he proved to be a big hit.

SAinfo reporter