With the uncertainty over supply of oil from Iran, South Africa is looking to Nigeria to purchase its oil, the Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said, following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Vice President of Nigeria, Namadi Sambo, in Cape Town on Wednesday.

South Africa may be forced to comply with a US order to cease buying oil from Iran - from which it sources about a quarter of its oil - or risk economic penalties from America. The Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters last week said government would decide on its response to proposed sanctions by the end of this month.

Motlanthe said PetroSA and private traders were expected to look at supply agreements for oil from Nigeria. "We would guarantee going forward to our Nigerian brothers (that there will be) demand for their liquid fuel, because we don't want to source our fuel in areas that are likely to be unstable.

"Indeed, we are quite confident that Nigeria will become one of our trusted suppliers of liquid fuel going forward," he said.

Ready to offer support

Sambo said Nigeria was ready to offer any economic support - be it energy or otherwise.

Motlanthe said the agreement he signed with Sambo today would help prepare the way for a more enabling business environment between two of the continent's biggest economies.

He said the agreement enabled both countries to rope in business people from both countries that had an idea for investment opportunities in both countries.

Nigerian companies with the wherewithal to supply infrastructure projects - including the supply of cement - would be invited to participate in South Africa's massive infrastructure programme.

Bi-National Commission

Sambo arrived in South Africa on Monday at the invitation of Motlanthe to attend the 8th South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission. He is expected to depart the country today.

The two discussed several issues and reviewed the progress made since the 7th Bi-National Commission was held in Abuja in 2008. They also discussed the progress made on the seven working groups of the Bi-National Commission.

These workings groups are: foreign affairs and co-operation; trade, industry and finance; security and defence; agriculture, water resources and environment; minerals and energy; public enterprises and infrastructure; and the social and technical working group.

Today, a Memorandum of Understanding on economic and technical co-operation was signed between Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and Nigeria's Finance Minister Olusegan Aganga.

Another Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Aganga and the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, to offer mutual assistance with customs administration between the two countries.

Sambo said Nigeria had put the incident that took place at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in March - when several Nigerians were deported after a dispute over yellow fever vaccinations - behind it.

"Nigerians are happy about the way they are treated in South Africa," he said, adding that there was a plan to expand the number of years for which travel visas can be used for, while doing away completely with diplomatic passports.

Source: BuaNews

African agriculture is undergoing a transformation, creating a new era of opportunity for both farmers and investors, according to African and global leaders at the World Economic Forum on Africa.

The Grow Africa Investment Forum, convened jointly by the African Union, Nepad and the World Economic Forum (WEF), engaged over 270 leaders at the gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday.

These included heads of state and government from Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania, as well as leaders of African and global business, international and donor agencies and farmer organizations.

Huge investment potential

Forum participants noted that African agriculture offers tremendous growth potential to investors, which in turn promised to strengthen food security and economic opportunity on the continent.

Greater private-sector investment and improvements to the business enabling environment were needed to capture this potential, delegates were told.

The leaders noted that much of the continent's agricultural potential remains untapped. "We have scratched the surface, but we haven't yet broken the mould," said Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. "When we do that, you will see the explosion of development in Africa."

During Thurday's session, seven countries showcased specific investment and partnership opportunities aligned to their national priorities for agricultural transformation.

'We are ready to do business'

"We are ready to do business; that's why we came to this meeting," said Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, noting that Tanzania's agriculture investment strategy prioritized groups that could most benefit from new market opportunities.

"When we bring in the private sector, it is to benefit the smallholder farmers," Kikwete said. "We need to modernize agriculture and make it more attractive to youth."

President Kikwete added that governments had an important role to play in providing support in areas of irrigation, inputs and building commodity markets. However, private sector investment was also essential in order to avoid over-dependence on subsidies.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that African countries could "mobilize farmers into an entrepreneurial mindset and create new opportunities for women, youth and rural entrepreneurs."

'New ways of leveraging the agriculture sector'

The Grow Africa partnership has developed significant momentum since it was launched at the 2011 World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.

A total of 116 companies participated in the Grow Africa Investment Forum, including 49 African and 47 multinational companies, plus 20 from other regions such as Asia and the Middle East.

"Much of the investment in Africa can come from Africa if we provide the right financing mechanisms and policy environment," said African Export-Import Bank president Jean-Louis Ekra.

According to Unilever executive vice-president Frank Braeken, African leaders "are defining new ways to leverage the agriculture sector as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth. This offers new agribusiness opportunities that are increasingly attractive to investors."

Empowering African farmers 'crucial'

Participants agreed that empowering African farmers would be central to the future of agriculture on the continent.

"Smallholder farmers are a sleeping giant in Africa," said Dyborn Chibonga, CEO of the National Smallholder Farmers' Association of Malawi. "That sleeping giant needs to be mobilized into collective action groups."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the way to realize this was through increasing the productivity of small farmers and having them well organized and collaborative in order to take advantage of supply chains and investments

Ethiopia has achieved significant gains in agricultural productivity using this model in recent years, setting aside 16% of its national budget for agriculture - well above the 10% to which all African governments have committed themselves.

The Grow Africa partnership, coordinated by the African Union, Nepad and the WEF, aims to "galvanize sustainable investment into African agriculture based on country-led priorities," the WEF said on Thursday.

According to the WEF, Grow Africa builds upon the CAADP, which works to boost African agricultural productivity through sector development plans. Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia are the first countries to engage with Grow Africa.

"The Grow Africa platform is open to all countries, and can accelerate the implementation of national investment plans developed through the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme," said African Union chairperson Jean Ping.

The potential seen in African agriculture presents a transformational opportunity, according to WEF vice-chairman Josette Sheeran. "Working together, we can ensure that when we meet in 10 years, it will be in an Africa that is not only feeding itself, but helping to feed the world."

SAinfo reporter and World Economic Forum

Open for business

First-world infrastructure plus a vibrant emerging market equals huge investment potential!

Brad Morgan

Former Proteas wicketkeeper Dave Richardson has been selected by the International Cricket Council (ICC) board to succeed fellow South African Haroon Lorgat as chief executive. Richardson's name will be recommended at the ICC's annual conference in June.

There were four candidates for the position, but it came down to a choice between Richardson and England and Wales Cricket Board CEO David Collier, with Richardson cracking the nod after a meeting of the ICC nominations committee in Mumbai, India this past weekend. He will become the first former test cricketer to hold the position.

On hearing of his nomination, Richardson told the ICC: "It is a great honour to be nominated to be chief executive of the ICC. I am delighted with this opportunity and thank the ICC board for their approval.

'A privilege'

"It has been a privilege to serve as ICC general manager of cricket, and that work will continue until such time as the ICC annual conference ratifies my nomination," Richardson said. "I am looking forward to working closely with all the membership and stakeholders in the game.

"It is an honour to be following a fellow South African, Haroon Lorgat, in this role. I have learnt a lot under his leadership and thank him for his support in the last four years."

Richardson, a qualified lawyer, has served as the ICC's general manager for the past decade, and that experience played a big role in his selection to the post of CEO.

'The most important thing'

ICC president Sharad Pawar told ESPN Cricinfo: "What made Richardson the most suitable candidate was his knowledge of the ICC, and that was the most important thing.

"He was an internal candidate. He is a former test player and brings a lot of international cricket experience to the table," Pawar said.

"In addition, he has been working with the ICC for quite long and is completely aware about the ICC operations and the members. All this only made it a unanimous decision."

Cricket career

Richardson played 42 tests for South Africa, claiming 150 catches and two stumpings.

He scored 1 359 runs at an average of 24.26, including one test century, 109, against New Zealand in Cape Town in January 1995, when he was named man of the match and man of the series. He had missed out on a century in the first test by only seven runs.

Richardson also played in 122 one-day internationals in which he made 148 catches and 17 stumpings. He scored 868 runs at 19.72.

His son, Michael, is also a wicketkeeper and plays for English county Durham.

US independent power provider Hydro Alternative Energy is in talks with the City of Durban on plans to develop a world-first project that would harvest hydrokinetic energy from the fast-flowing Agulhas current off South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal coastline.

Senior company representatives were currently holding talks with eThekwini Municipality officials on the project, Florida-based Hydro Alternative Energy (HAE) said in a statement on Monday.

HAE said the municipality had given its in-principle support for the project, which would be undertaken in stages, the first stage involving the identification of suitable sites for mooring offshore power generation systems, followed by requests for the necessary environmental permits and power generation licences.

The plan is to develop a US$20-million 1-megawatt demonstration unit, after which additional units 8 MW units would be built "and likewise submerged, approximately 30 metres (98 feet) below sea level, to prevent interference with shipping", the company said.

'One of the most consistent currents in the world'

"The Agulhas is one of the most consistent currents in the world," Derek Morgan of eThekwini's energy unit told The Mercury newspaper. So, if the ocean current generation was to happen, Durban would be an ideal location to start harnessing it.

"If we can get it right, it has the potential to completely transform the city into a green energy location for investment," Morgan said.

'Never been done before'

Company co-CEO Mark Antonucci said that generating electric power from sea currents had never been done before. "All previous sea and wave generation technologies have been tidal based.

"We are very excited about our continued meetings and discussions with our Municipality of eThekwini partner to move this project forward to reality," Antonucci said.

"We again note the commitment of Durban and the eThekwini Municipality to substantially reducing their carbon footprint and becoming 'greener', with the eThekwini Municipality having recently hosted the 17th Conference of the Parties [COP 17] to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change."

SAinfo reporter

President Jacob Zuma, in talks with visiting Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Wednesday, extended an invitation to the Asian nation to invest in South Africa's massive, state-led infrastructure drive.

"We have once again extended an invitation to Indian business to invest in our infrastructure development programme, in which we are to invest more than R800-billion until 2014," Zuma said following his meeting in Pretoria with Patil, who began his state visit to the country on Wednesday.

Zuma noted the fact that relations between the two countries dated back many years, that South Africa and India also shared a history of struggle against colonial oppression and racism, as well as "deep social, economic and cultural ties".

R111-billion trade target for 2014

While trade was increasing steadily, "we should all work to reach even higher figures", Zuma told journalists.

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, trade between the two countries stood at R48.2-billion as of November 2011, with South African exports at R21.9-billion and imports from India at R26.3-billion.

The two countries have set a bilateral trade target of R111-billion to be reached by 2014.

Patil said relations between South African and India had taken on a robust and dynamic character, adding that strong institutional frameworks for co-operation in the economic, political and technological fields were in place.

"Our bilateral relations today are wide-ranging, multi-dimensional and mutually beneficial," Patil told journalists. "Our shared and abiding commitment to the ideals of democracy has only reinforced our close and friendly ties."

'Opportunities need to be explored'

Since the establishment of full diplomatic relations between South Africa and India in 1993, numerous high-level visits have taken place between the two countries, with cooperation agreements signed in trade, investment, education, defence, and information and communication technology (ICT).

"We have agreed to monitor the implementation of various agreements that exist," Patil said, adding that they were looking into expanding these into areas including health, science and technology and infrastructure.

"We felt that considerable opportunities need to be explored," said Patil, adding that India was also interested in working with South Africa to develop a Ghandi heritage site in the country.

Zuma said the two presidents had looked at ways in which "we can further translate our historical ties into meaningful socio-economic development cooperation."

Source: BuaNews

First-world infrastructure plus a vibrant emerging market equals huge investment potential!

President Jacob Zuma, speaking during the hand-over of tractors and cattle to local community projects in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape on Sunday, encouraged South Africans to use land more effectively to fight hunger and poverty.

Zuma was in the province to roll out projects forming part of the Masibambisane Rural Development Initiative (MRDI), which aims to equip communities in rural areas to develop themselves, especially in the area of agriculture.

The MRDI is chaired by Zuma in his capacity as a community member of in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal, where the initiative was born before being launched in Qumbu in the Eastern Cape in November.

The government has since become a partner of the initiative, with ministers pledging their support to the programme.

"It is very important, because it is when we work the land that we can quickly change the quality of life for our people," Zuma said.

"If we are sitting doing nothing, the change will take longer, and one of the important things we have to do is to work on the land. It's one of the fundamental things we have to achieve."

Zuma said the government had been assisting communities with agricultural implements to grow food for local markets.

In Peddie earlier in the day, tractors were donated to local agricultural projects.

In Butterworth, Zuma handed over 10 tractors to the Mtshanyaneni Agricultural and Farming Cooperative. More than 100 locals are involved with the project, which focuses on crop and cattle farming.

One of the cooperative's members, Phila Gcasamba, said land was still a crucial tool to address poverty in rural areas.

"For us it's not about waiting for handouts, but we do appreciate when we get assistance here and there, because through these projects people are able to sell what they yield, which in turn ensures some form of income," Gcasamba said.

Source: BuaNews

20 April 2012

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has assured Ghana of South Africa's loyal support, saying he hopes the two countries can work together in tackling the challenges facing the continent.

Motlanthe is in Ghana for a working visit which could see the two countries cooperating in the energy sector, among others.

Relations between South Africa and Ghana, one of the most stable multi-party democracies in West Africa, are very good, with both countries maintaining residential diplomatic missions in each other's capitals.

'Shining example of democracy'

Speaking at a gala dinner held on his behalf in Accra on Thursday, Motlanthe congratulated Ghana on celebrating its 55th anniversary of independence in March.

"As one of the African countries holding elections this year, we look up to your excellent track record and good governance in holding free and fair elections. We hope your country will once again serve as a shining example of democratic change."

Motlanthe added that he was pleased that Ghana, like South Africa, continued to play a critical role in peacekeeping and upholding good governance in Africa.

While in Ghana, Motlanthe will hold talks with his counterpart, Dramani Mahama, as well as pay a courtesy call on President John Evans Atta Mills.

On the agenda, according to the Presidency, will be cooperation in areas such as energy and energy-related technology, security, and environmental issues, including the management of national parks.

Trade volumes on the increase

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Ghana represents a the biggest export market for South African goods in West Africa after Nigeria.

In recent years, trade between the two countries has grown significantly, with South African exports increasing from less than R1-billion in 1998 to over R3-billion in 2009, while imports from Ghana have increased over the same period.

Exports have included vehicles, machinery, mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, base metals, aircraft, vessels and associated products.

"While total trade volumes are still relatively low in global terms, it is expected that these figures will grow," the department said.

There are more than 80 South African companies registered in Ghana.

Motlanthe is being accompanied on his trip by Energy Minister Dipuo Peters, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, and Deputy International Relations Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim.

BuaNews

Brad Morgan

20 April 2012

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, the first amputee to win a medal at an able-bodied World Championship, has been named in Time Magazine's latest list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

This year's Time article says of the people on the list: "They are the people who inspire us, entertain us, challenge us, and change our world."

Time managing editor Richard Stengel has said of the list, now in its ninth year: "The Time 100 is not a list of the most powerful people in the world, it's not a list of the smartest people in the world, it's a list of the most influential people in the world.

"They're scientists, they're thinkers, they're philosophers, they're leaders, they're icons, they're artists, they're visionaries - people who are using their ideas, their visions, their actions to transform the world and have an effect on a multitude of people."

History maker

Pistorius made history at the IAAF World Championships in 2011 when he became the first amputee to win a track medal in the 4 by 400 metres relay. He has since run inside the required A-qualifying standard for the Olympic Games, but needs to achieve that mark once more to secure his place at London 2012.

In February, his achievements were recognised by the Laureus Sports Awards when he received the Laureus World Sportsperson with a Disability Award.

"The Blade Runner" is listed in a section titled "Icons" in the Time Magazine list.

'Global inspiration'

Time sports columnist Sean Gregory writes of him: "What's possible in athletics? Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee sprinter from South Africa, and his effort to compete against able-bodied runners in the 400m and 4x400m sprint events at the 2012 London Olympics, make the answer clear: absolutely anything.

Pistorius said on his website: "There are some incredible names on the list from around the world, including political figures and music and film heroes, and it is a great privilege for me to have been included amongst such names.

"2012 will be one of the highlights of my career as I aim for qualification at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I would like to thank Time and its readers for their support on my journey."

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

South Africa's economic growth is "reasonably stable" but still vulnerable to problems in the eurozone, and the country looks forward "to a far more clear set of actions" from European countries to give certainty to global markets, says Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Gordhan was speaking at a Foreign Correspondents Association breakfast in Johannesburg on Monday, ahead of a G20 meeting on Thursday and Friday where leaders are expected to find out if they are any closer to an answer to the European crisis.

The meeting is also expected to look into whether the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has adequate resources and if it requires additional funds.

'Multi-polarity is where we are heading'

Globally, the world is moving towards multi-polarity, where traditional methods of growth are no longer operational, Gordhan said.

"We are living in epoch-changing shifts in the economy; they don't happen overnight nor can they be judged over a short period. These are shifts that are reflected in the way in which global growth is being distributed.

"Multi-polarity is where we are heading," Gordhan said. "It shouldn't be seen as this enforced historical change that we have to live with, but rather as a vital necessity to ensure that global growth is restored ."

Ratings agencies' comments 'unwarranted'

Gordhan described the decision by some ratings agencies to place South Africa on a negative watch as "an unfortunate casting of European shadows on the South African scene.

"There is nothing to suggest in the numbers or policy pronouncement that this government has made to justify the kind of doubts that rating agencies are placing on South Africa."

There were, however, social demands to better deliver resources. Gordhan said this was not driven by demands for more money to be spent, but rather for money to be better spent and less subject to corruption, a matter which government was attending to.

"We want to build up a 10-year fiscal framework, which will tell us what we can afford and how we need to grow the economy to overcome challenges," the minister said.

South Africa was working to improve growth with its recently announced infrastructure programme, as well as with the competitive programme for the industrial sector, support for emerging farmers, investment in science and technology, and employment expansion - particularly for young people, for whom processes were "taking too long".

"There are immense opportunities on the continent," Gordhan said.

Reducing unemployment

On the issue of reducing unemployment, Gordhan said this ambition depended on the extent of economic growth, labour absorption, as well as greater investment in industries with a larger capability to employ people.

"I admit [we are] not easily going to meet some of the targets we set, but I'm hopeful that some of the programmes we put in place might begin to change the picture. If we can get the global economy to settle down and get back to a growth path, we might see a different picture in about five years."

South Africa aims to create five-million jobs by 2020. Gordhan said more needed to be done, adding that 70 percent of the job creation target had to come from the private sector.

The minister stressed that incentives for business to create jobs were available, and that far more "urgent discussion" was needed in this regard.

Source: BuaNews