Engineering News - 25 April 2022 by Terence Creamer 

Read online at Engineering News

Watch the documentary - Voices from under a dark cloud: Towards a Just Transition in the coalfields of South Africa here: https://bit.ly/3EWaVEd

The African Programme on Rethinking Development Economics (Aporde) and the DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARChI Industrial Development) are delighted to announce the second Thandika Mkandawire Prize for Outstanding Scholarship in African Political Economy and Economic Development. This prize is to be awarded annually to recognise outstanding research papers of the highest quality by African scholars. A second award, the Thandika Mkandawire Prize for Young Scholars in African Political Economy and Economic Development, is specifically for young researchers. Submissions close 22 May 2022. For more information and how to apply go to Thandika Mkandawire Prize

This policy brief highlights the level of adoption of frontier technologies in six manufacturing subsectors: metal and engineering; retail motor and aftercare; plastics; manufacturing; automotive components; automotive manufacturing; and new tyre manufacturing. This is important because, while there is a solid understanding of the importance of frontier technologies especially for the manufacturing sector, there has not been a comprehensive investigation of the level of adoption of these technologies across the different subsectors. Previous research has either zoned in on one sector, such as metal, or looked at the level of adoption at the continental level. To address the gap, a survey was conducted on behalf of merSETA (the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority) to collate baseline information on key trends around technological change. This policy brief highlights the aggregated results from the survey. The survey analysis is supplemented by interview data with key stakeholders in the industry.

For more information on frontier technologies visit the TIPS Technological Change and Innovation System Observatory  

This policy brief aims to clarify the currently used metrics, what value they have, what they miss, and their policy implications. It begins by unpacking the technical definitions of various metrics used in the South African context, considering the implications associated with each metric. Additional concerns regarding methodologies and assumptions, and data sources are also elaborated. Having clarified these metrics, figures reported by key actors are systematically presented. Finally, this brief reflects on what the reported figures do and do not say, and policy suggestions.

This policy brief is part of the Making Sense of Employment in South Africa's Just Energy Transition project. TIPS and the WWF South Africa, with the support of GIZ, are implementing an initiative to support policymaking for South Africa's just transition. This focuses on employment and the relevant challenges and opportunities in the country's just energy transition.

Related research

Research Report: Exploring alternative options for coal truckers in a biomass supply chain

Research Report: The just transition for the refining and logistics sectors of the South African liquid fuels industry value chain

TIPS on behalf of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition in partnership with the Medical Device Manufacturers, the South African Medical Device Industry Association and the South African Laboratory and Diagnostics Association seeks the services of independent consultants with extensive and proven experience and knowledge of the South African medical device industry, its participants, and the South African industrial policy environment, to facilitate the development of the medical devices industry Master Plan. Closing Date:
3 June 2022. Proposals should be sent to TIPS for the attention of Daphney Mabuza daphney@tips.org.za. Click for more information. Download ToR here.

Business Day - 7 April 2022 by Hilary Joffe

Read online at Business Day

Or read as a PDF

Engineering News - 16 March 2022 by Tasneem Bulbulia 

Read online at Engineering News

Engineering News - 7 April 2022 by Terence Creamer 

Read online at Engineering News

South Africa’s merchandise exports have continued on their upward trajectory, although at a slower pace, increasing by 13.1 % in Q3 2021 from Q3 2020, amounting to R460 billion. However, a quarterly analysis for the period under review indicates that exports have marginally declined by 7.8% from Q2 2021. The quarterly decline is likely due to a fall in the mineral prices for ore and platinum. Imports have also increased by 23% in Q3 2021 from Q3 2020, amounting to R359 billion, a 7.7% increase from the previous quarter (Q2 2021). With the value of merchandise exports being higher than imports in the third quarter of 2021, South Africa experienced a trade surplus of R101 billion, although it significantly declined by 39% from the previous quarter. In US dollar terms, merchandise exports increased by 31.9% from Q2 2020, amounting to US$30 billion, while declining by 13% from the second quarter of 2021. In contrast, imports  increased by 49.2% year-on-year, amounting to 24.5 billion and rising by 5.9% from Q2 2021.