Business

A partnership between the government and Business Unity South Africa to address the challenge of climate change was formed at the National Climate Change Conference in Midrand, Johannesburg.

As South Africans brace for a 45% electricity tariff increase, the poor have been thrown a lifeline in the form of a proposed increase in free basic power from Eskom, the country’s electricity utility.

Forbes has named its 30 under 30 - its list of the 30 most promising entrepreneurs in Africa under the age of 30. Six are from South Africa, but all are "entrepreneurs with fresh ideas". They were nominated by readers, and judges looked at business size, location, struggles and determination.

Sustainability, transformation and competitiveness were the keywords on the first day of the 2013 Mining Lekgotla, which started on 27 August in Johannesburg.
• Revenue from beneficiation

Two years ago, a couple found some wood at the side of the road and built a table. They had no woodworking experience, but their friends loved it. Today, Eco Furniture Design has been named fastest growing small business incubatee at the National Technology Awards.

Standard Bank has partnered with China UnionPay to allow cardholders visiting South Africa to withdraw cash from over 4 300 Standard Bank ATM machines and make payments through its point-of-sale terminal network.

Construction has begun on Kusile, the second new coal-fired power station being built as part of Eskom's multi-billion rand expansion, and the first in South Africa to make use of a new technology that removes oxides from exhaust gases.

BMW South Africa has expanded its export programme to facilitate increased production and will export its BMW 3 Series from Maputo in Mozambique, in addition to shipping from the Durban port.

Both the government and ordinary South Africans need to rein in spending and balance their budgets until we can get the economy growing, attract more investment and create jobs, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said at a media briefing on Thursday.

The JSE shed 0.92% on Thursday as an oversupply of iron ore in China saw the value of local iron producers fall, dragging the resources sector down 2.19%.