Category: Africa

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Joburg working to resolve water issues

Source: Government of South Africa

Joburg working to resolve water issues

City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has moved to assure residents that the municipality is hard at work to resolve water supply challenges.

The Mayor briefed the media on Tuesday at the New Brixton Reservoir in the city.

Several areas have faced water supply challenges over the past few weeks.

“The city…is taking decisive action to stabilise the water supply network and reduce consumption through a comprehensive, multifaceted Water Demand Management programme.

“This approach involves coordinated efforts between the city, Johannesburg Water, Rand Water, and key stakeholders to address both immediate and long-term water security challenges.

“The programme includes detailed assessments of water usage patterns, targeted interventions in high-risk areas, and the deployment of cutting-edge technologies to monitor and optimise the entire supply system,” Morero said in a statement.

He noted that Johannesburg is one of Rand Water’s largest consumers of bulk water with reductions in usage needed.

The Mayor added that while progress has been made in this regard, the city must still “reach a critical target of 1 550 Ml/d to comply with licence apportionment requirements”.

“To achieve this, our administration is implementing a suite of urgent, practical interventions, including real-time monitoring of consumption at the district and household levels, partnerships with businesses to drive water-saving initiatives, and enhanced public awareness campaigns.

“These efforts are aimed at protecting supply, meeting regulatory obligations, and building long-term resilience within the municipal water system.

“Immediate measures already underway include night-time throttling to reduce losses, strategic bulk meter restrictions in high-consumption zones, intensified pressure management, and advanced leak detection technologies deployed across the network,” he said.

Additionally, rapid response repairs are being carried out on leaks and problem areas are being identified quicker with the help of local ward committees.

“These actions are designed to curb excessive demand, minimise water wastage, and ensure fair and sustainable access to water for all residents,” Morero assured.

The Mayor noted that communities in areas including Melville, Westdene, and Parktown West have faced water supply disruptions due to “constraints within the Commando system and ongoing commissioning work”.

Technical teams deployed to the area are addressing water pressure issues, flushing networks to clear blockages and securing “alternative supply via water tankers and mobile storage units where necessary”.

“The city is also providing regular updates to affected residents and maintaining open communication with local councillors to ensure community needs are met throughout the restoration process.

“At the same time, the city is investing in major infrastructure upgrades in the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill supply districts, including the construction of new reservoirs, the installation of modern pump stations, and the refurbishment of ageing infrastructure.

“These projects are expected to significantly improve capacity, operational flexibility, and resilience upon completion,” Morero said.

The Mayor called on residents to reduce usage of water and to use it sparingly.

“The city acknowledges the inconvenience caused by water supply challenges and assures residents that every effort is being made to stabilise the network as quickly as possible.

“To support these efforts, all residents, businesses, and institutions are urged to reduce water consumption, report leaks promptly and strictly adhere to water-saving measures during this period. The city will continue to provide timely updates as projects progress.

“Johannesburg remains committed to protecting essential services, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring a reliable and sustainable water future for all,” Morero concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

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Sudan’s latest peace plan: what’s in it and does it stand a chance?

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Samir Ramzy, Researcher, Helwan University

US president Donald Trump’s advisor on Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, announced in February 2026 that Washington and three Middle East states – Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (collectively known as the Quad) – were close to finalising a detailed initiative aimed at ending Sudan’s war. The plan resembled the roadmap shared by the Quad in September 2025.

According to Boulos, the proposal had received preliminary approval from the two warring parties in the civil war: Sudan’s Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Civil war erupted in the country in mid-April 2023 over disputes surrounding military reform and the future configuration of Sudan’s political system. Since then, more than 14 million Sudanese have been displaced inside and outside the country. Tens of thousands have been killed and more than half of the population – around 21 million people – are facing acute hunger.

Meanwhile, the battlefield has produced a de facto territorial split. The army and its allies remain entrenched in eastern, northern and central Sudan, including the capital, Khartoum. The RSF controls much of western Sudan, including all Darfur states.

Active fighting is now largely concentrated in Kordofan, which lies between the two zones of control. The region represents 20% of Sudan’s territory, extends over roughly 390,000 square kilometres and has a population of around 8 million.

Based on my research on Sudan’s political and conflict dynamics, I argue that the prospects for the Quad-led initiative remain limited in the short term, even if it could, over time, help pave the way for a ceasefire.

Continued military escalation, deep mistrust between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces, and the army’s refusal to legitimise the RSF undermine prospects for de-escalation.

Additionally, regional and international actors have yet to generate sufficient pressure for peace. Competing regional interests and continued external support for the warring parties reduce incentives for compromise. As a result, the most realistic outcome for now is a temporary humanitarian pause rather than a lasting political settlement.

The obstacles

The latest Quad framework has five main parts:

  • an immediate ceasefire

  • unhindered humanitarian access

  • civilian protection

  • the launch of a political process leading to civilian governance

  • a reconstruction pathway supported by a pledged US$1.5 billion.

Media leaks suggest the proposal includes coordinated withdrawals by Sudanese warring parties from major cities.

Under the proposal, the RSF would pull back from key positions in South Kordofan and around El-Obeid, the closest RSF-controlled area to Khartoum. Army units in the capital would, meanwhile, be replaced by local police as part of efforts to prepare urban centres for civilian governance.

A UN-led mechanism would monitor the ceasefire and secure humanitarian corridors.

Despite the seriousness of this proposal, developments on the ground indicate that neither side is ready to de-escalate. The biggest obstacles continue to be:

1. The army’s refusal to legitimise the RSF

Within hours of the initiative’s announcement, army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan publicly reiterated that he would not accept any political or military role for the RSF.

This stance aligns with reports that senior army figures objected to key provisions of the Quad proposal, particularly those allowing the RSF to retain local governance structures in areas under its control to facilitate aid delivery.

For the army, recognising such arrangements would amount to legitimising the RSF as a political actor.

2. The army’s broader insistence that it alone should oversee any reform of Sudan’s military institutions

This is the very issue that triggered the war in 2023.

3. Escalation on the battlefield

Neither side appears to be preparing for withdrawals. On the contrary, recent weeks have seen escalating clashes and the opening of new fronts.

For instance, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North, an RSF ally, has launched new attacks against army forces in Blue Nile state.

At the same time, the army has succeeded in lifting sieges on key towns in South Kordofan that had been encircled by the RSF for nearly two years. This increasingly complex military map makes agreement on withdrawal zones exceptionally difficult.

4. Deep mistrust between the warring parties

This mistrust derailed previous efforts. In May 2023, the US-Saudi mediated Jeddah agreement collapsed after both sides reneged on commitments to withdraw from civilian areas.

5. External actors are not yet incentivising peace

Regional and international dynamics remain a major obstacle. This includes some of the Quad’s members, who publicly endorse a ceasefire even as battlefield realities suggest otherwise. These actors have repeatedly denied accusations of providing military support to one side or the other.

As long as both Sudanese warring parties retain access to regional backing, there is little incentive to halt the fighting. Continued war allows them to compete over territory and extract resources while sidelining any meaningful civilian political alternative.

Chances of breakthrough

A breakthrough is possible. But it won’t happen quickly. A meaningful shift would require stronger international pressure.

Washington appears to be moving gradually in this direction as part of a broader effort to consolidate western influence in Sudan while curbing rival regional and global actors. This is happening most notably amid concerns over Russia’s reported interest in establishing a naval facility in Port Sudan.

A pillar of this approach is drying up the drivers of war, especially arms flows. In December 2025, the US Congress passed legislation expanding American intelligence engagement in Sudan to monitor and expose external actors fuelling the conflict. The language of the bill suggests that all suppliers are potential targets.

In this context, media leaks about external involvement in Sudan can be seen as a form of political pressure on arms suppliers. This places current providers in a difficult position: either align with Washington’s framework or risk confrontation with it.

Regional actors may gradually follow suit if Washington demonstrates sustained resolve. Egypt, in particular, could pivot towards a ceasefire as the conflict edges closer to Blue Nile state near Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, a core national security concern for Cairo.

These dynamics could eventually restrict external military support to both Sudanese parties, narrowing their options and increasing the geopolitical cost of continued war. In this context, maintaining current suppliers of Russian, Chinese and Iranian weapons could provoke countermeasures by Washington and its allies, a costly gamble for both sides.

Over time, this may push the army and the RSF towards negotiations, at least to secure a humanitarian ceasefire.

– Sudan’s latest peace plan: what’s in it and does it stand a chance?
– https://theconversation.com/sudans-latest-peace-plan-whats-in-it-and-does-it-stand-a-chance-275456

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Rania El Rafie d’APO Group nommée Présidente du Comité de Sélection des Public Sector & Thought Leadership Awards pour les Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), le leader panafricain multiprimé du conseil en communication et de la distribution de communiqués de presse, annonce la nomination de Rania El Rafie, Vice-présidente, relations publiques et communications stratégiques, en tant que Présidente du Comité de Sélection des Public Sector & Thought Leadership Awards pour les Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards.

Les Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards (https://apo-opa.co/4rNgXy4) figurent parmi les distinctions les plus respectées au monde, reconnaissant l’innovation, le leadership et l’impact dans tous les secteurs de la région MENA.

En tant que Présidente, Rania a personnellement choisi un comité composé de hauts dirigeants possédant une expertise approfondie des communications d’entreprise, des relations gouvernementales, de la stratégie commerciale et des opérations multinationales. Ensemble, le panel apporte une combinaison de connaissances régionales et de perspective mondiale, façonnée par une expérience pratique de la navigation dans des environnements complexes et des marchés culturellement nuancés. Le comité de sélection est composé de :

  • Mai Youssef, Directrice de la Communication d’Entreprise et des Services Marketing, Canon Middle East & Central and North Africa
  • Sean Muir, Directeur des Relations Publiques pour le GITEX Portfolio, Dubai World Trade Centre
  • Laila Bastati, Responsable Commerciale, APO Group
  • Mohamed Elwagih, Responsable des Communications d’Entreprise, Mantrac Group

El Rafie déclare au sujet de sa nomination : « Présider le comité de sélection des Stevie® Awards est un honneur professionnel, pour moi et pour APO Group. Des programmes de communication efficaces doivent guider la confiance, la responsabilité et l’impact mesurable. En composant ce comité, il était important de réunir des dirigeants qui comprennent la complexité d’opérer sur divers marchés et groupes d’intervenants, tout en respectant les normes internationales les plus élevées. Je me réjouis à la perspective de travailler avec tous les membres du comité pour sélectionner les meilleures candidatures de la région ».

Avec plus de 22 ans d’expérience sur de multiples marchés et secteurs, El Rafie, basée au Caire, a dirigé des programmes de communication à fort impact et primés pour des clients tels qu’Emirates, Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, Marriott, Afreximbank, GITEX, MSD et Western Union. En 2024, elle est devenue la première Vice-présidente d’APO Group en nomination interne. En 2025, elle a été nommée femme la plus innovante de l’année aux Stevie® Awards et reconnue parmi les 50 femmes les plus remarquables d’Afrique dans le secteur des communications.

La nomination d’El Rafie témoigne de son statut de leader de la communication dans toute la région et de l’expérience approfondie d’APO Group en matière de conseil à des clients de premier plan dans plusieurs pays et secteurs.

Distribué par APO Group pour APO Group.

Contact avec les médias :
marie@apo-opa.com 

À propos d’APO Group :
Créé en 2007 par Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group est le cabinet de conseil en communication pensé pour la performance et alliant conseil stratégique, exécution de terrain et visibilité garantie sur tous les marchés africains.

Reconnu par de nombreuses distinctions internationales, notamment les prix SABRE, Davos Communications et World Business Outlook, APO Group s’associe à des organisations mondiales et africaines pour fournir des communications performantes, grâce à la stratégie, à l’exécution et à une visibilité mesurable.

Les fonctions consultatives de notre fondateur auprès d’institutions internationales élargissent l’accès d’APO Group aux décideurs et renforcent notre rôle de cabinet de conseil en communication le plus connecté du continent. Parmi nos clients figurent Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, GITEX Global, la Royal African Society et le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD).

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APO Group’s Rania El Rafie Appointed Chair of Public Sector & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee for the Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards

Source: APO – Report:

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, has announced the appointment of Rania El Rafie, Vice President of  Public Relations & Strategic Communications, as Chair of the Public Sector & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee for the Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards.

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards (https://apo-opa.co/4rNgXy4) are among the world’s most respected business awards, recognising innovation, leadership, and impact across sectors within the MENA region.  

As Chair, Rania personally selected a judging committee comprising senior leaders with deep expertise across corporate communications, government relations, commercial strategy, and multinational operations. Together, the panel brings a combination of regional insight and global perspective, shaped by hands-on experience navigating complex environments and culturally nuanced markets. The judging committee comprises:

  • Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications & Marketing Services Director at Canon Middle East & Central and North Africa
  • Sean Muir, Director of Public Relations for the GITEX Portfolio at Dubai World Trade Centre
  • Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer at APO Group
  • Mohamed Elwagih, Group Corporate Communications Manager at Mantrac Group

Commenting on her appointment, El Rafie said: “Chairing a Stevie® Awards judging committee is a professional honour – for myself and for APO Group. Effective communication programmes must navigate trust, accountability, and measurable impact. In assembling this committee, it was important to bring together leaders who understand the complexity of operating across diverse markets and stakeholder groups, while upholding the highest international standards for submissions. I look forward to working with them to identify the region’s success stories.”

With more than 22 years’ experience across multiple markets and sectors, Cairo-based El Rafie has led high-impact, award-winning communications programmes for clients such as Emirates, Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, Marriott, Afreximbank, GITEX, MSD, and Western Union. In 2024, she became APO Group’s first internally appointed Vice President. In 2025, she was named Most Innovative Woman of the Year at the Stevie® Awards and recognised among Africa’s Top 50 Outstanding Women in Communications.

El Rafie’s appointment speaks to her standing as one of the region’s most respected communications leaders, and to APO Group’s depth of experience advising high-profile clients across multiple countries and sectors.

– on behalf of APO Group.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com 

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across every African market.

Recognised with multiple international awards, including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations to deliver communications that perform – through strategy, execution, and measurable visibility.

Our founder’s advisory roles with international institutions strengthen APO Group’s access to decision-makers and reinforce our role as the continent’s most connected communications consultancy. Clients include Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank Group, GITEX Global, Royal African Society, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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Rania El Rafie, do APO Group, foi nomeada Presidente do Comité de Juízes dos Prémios do Setor Público e dde Thought Leadership Stevie® Awards para o Médio Oriente e o Norte de África

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), a principal e multi-premiada consultora pan-africana de comunicação e serviço de distribuição de comunicados de imprensa, anunciou a nomeação de Rania El Rafie, Vice-Presidente de Relações Públicas e Comunicação Estratégic, como Presidente do Júri dos Prémios de Sector Público e Thought Leadership dos Stevie® Awards para o Médio Oriente e Norte de África.

Os Stevie® Awards do Médio Oriente e Norte de África (https://apo-opa.co/4rNgXy4) estão entre os prémios empresariais mais respeitados do mundo, reconhecendo a inovação, a liderança e o impacto em todos os setores na região MENA. 

Na qualidade de Presidente, Rania selecionou pessoalmente um comité de jurados composto por líderes seniores com uma profunda experiência em comunicação empresarial, relações governamentais, estratégia comercial e operações multinacionais. No seu todo, o painel oferece uma combinação de visões regionais e perspetivas globais, moldadas por experiência prática a navegar ambientes complexos e mercados com nuances culturais. O comité de avaliação é composto por:

  • Mai Youssef, Diretora de Serviços de Marketing e Comunicações Empresariais da Canon Médio Oriente e África Central e do Norte
  • Sean Muir, Diretor de Relações Públicas do Portefólio GITEX no Dubai World Trade Centre
  • Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer do APO Group
  • Mohamed Elwagih, Diretor de Comunicações Empresariais do Mantrac Group

Ao comentar a sua nomeação, El Rafie afirmou: “Presidir a uma comissão de avaliação dos Stevie® Awards é uma honra profissional – para mim e para o APO Group. Programas de comunicação eficazes têm de gerir confiança, responsabilidade e impacto mensurável. Ao constituir este comité, era importante reunir líderes que compreendem a complexidade de operar em mercados e junto de públicos diversos, mantendo simultaneamente os mais elevados padrões internacionais na avaliação das candidaturas. Estou entusiasmada por trabalhar com eles para identificar as histórias de sucesso da região.”

Com mais de 22 anos de experiência em vários mercados e setores, El Rafie, baseadano Cairo, liderou programas de comunicação premiados e de grande impacto para clientes como a Emirates, Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, Marriott, Afreximbank, GITEX, MSD e Western Union. Em 2024, tornou-se a primeira vice-presidente do APO Group nomeada internamente. Em 2025, foi nomeada a Mulher Mais Inovadora do Ano nos Prémios Stevie® e reconhecida entre as 50 Mulheres Mais Notáveis de África na área da Comunicação.

A nomeação de El Rafie demonstra a sua posição como uma das líderes de comunicação mais respeitadas da região e a profunda experiência do APO Group no aconselhamento de clientes de alto nível em vários países e setores.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para APO Group.

Contacto para a comunicação social:
marie@apo-opa.com 

Sobre o APO Group:
Fundado em 2007 por Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, o APO Group é uma consultora de comunicação orientada para a performance, que combina aconselhamento estratégico, execução no terreno e visibilidade garantida em todos os mercados africanos.

Reconhecido com múltiplos prémios internacionais, incluindo distinções SABRE, Davos Communications e World Business Outlook, o APO Group trabalha com organizações globais e africanas para desenvolver e implementar planos de comunicação que geram resultados, assentes em estratégia, execução e visibilidade com impacto.

As funções de concelheiro do nosso fundador em instituições internacionais reforçam o acesso do APO Group a decisores de alto nível e consolidam o nosso posicionamento como a consultora de comunicação melhor conectada do continente. Entre os nossos clientes contam-se a Canon, a Emirates, a Nestlé, a NFL, a Liquid Intelligent Technologies, o Afreximbank, o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, a GITEX Global, a Royal African Society e o Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD).

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Kimberley welcomes Alaya on peace journey

Source: Government of South Africa

Kimberley welcomes Alaya on peace journey

A man who has embarked on a remarkable journey to walk the longest walkable route on Earth to promote peace across the world, arrived in Kimberley on Tuesday.

Alaya, originally from the Kingdom of Jordan, was received by members from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Office of the Provincial Commissioner, the Frances Baard District Commissioner’s Office and Kimberley SAPS on a wet and cool morning.

The Frances Baard District Commissioner, Major General Charlotte Makgari, commended Alaya for undertaking such an extraordinary journey in support of a noble cause that affects the global community. 

She conveyed her heartfelt admiration for his bravery, dedication and perseverance, and wished him well for the remainder of his journey.

Alaya addressed the men and women in blue, sharing the purpose of his project and inspiring those in attendance through his humility and passion for promoting peace.

He emphasised the importance of education and investing in the youth as a foundation for a peaceful future.

Alaya commenced his journey on 1 January 2026 from Cape Agulhas and reached Kimberley after completing approximately 1 000 kilometres on foot.

He will continue his 23 000km journey through 18 countries over a period of 730 days, with Magadan in Russia as his final destination.

The Management of the Kimberley Big Hole hosted Alaya and the SAPS delegation on a tour of the Open Mine, where the history of the town and the diamond industry was shared.

During his stay, Alaya will visit several schools in the greater Kimberley area to promote the peace initiative and motivate learners on the importance of education.

Upon departing the Northern Cape, he will proceed through to the North West Province.

Members of the public who encounter Alaya along his route are encouraged to join and accompany him in support of this peace initiative.

The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, wished Alaya well on his journey and reaffirmed the SAPS’s support for initiatives that promote peace, unity and social cohesion.

She further acknowledged the continued participation and generosity displayed by law enforcement officials supporting this extraordinary and worthy cause. 

South Africa was chosen as the starting point because the route naturally begins at the continent’s southernmost tip, Cape Agulhas.

Alaya is the founder of Hike With Me, which initiated the march. Hike With Me is a non-profit NGO whose work includes everything from awareness campaigns and education programmes to record-breaking hikes, all guided by one mission: “Walk with purpose. Connect with heart. Leave a footprint that matters”. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Deputy Ministers in The Presidency to release the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) Q3 2025/26 Report

Source: President of South Africa –

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, and Deputy Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth And Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, will today brief the media as part of the release of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) Q3 2025/26 Report. 

The briefing will present progress made in advancing youth employment, provide an overview of programme outcomes, and highlight partnerships driving digital and economic opportunities for young people.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the briefing as follows:

Date: Wednesday 11 February 2025
Time: 14h00 – 16h00
Venue: Edunova, 1 Ndabeni Street, Langa, Cape Town

The programme will include opening remarks by the Deputy Minister Mhlauli, a presentation on the PYEI Q3 results, an overview of Edunova and the Innovation Fund, testimonies from youth participants, a media Q&A session, and a tour of the Edunova facilities.

The briefing will also highlight the ComUnity Digital Enablers Initiative, a collaborative programme designed to empower young people, particularly young women, through digital skills development, micro-enterprise support, and sustainable economic participation.

Media enquiries: Ms Mandisa Mbele, Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 or mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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Vantage Capital exits investment in Seaton Estates

Source: APO

Vantage Capital (www.VantageCapital.co.za), Africa’s largest mezzanine debt fund manager, announced that it has fully exited its investment in Seaton Estates (“Seaton”), a residential coastal development located on the North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The promoter of Seaton is Collins Residential, the residential arm of a diversified group with interests in the real estate, hospitality, and agricultural sectors, both in South Africa and internationally.

The Seaton development sits on prime property with direct access to a kilometre stretch of beach frontage. The development comprises 1,150 opportunities made up of 600 single residential stands and 22 planned urban developments, offering a further 550 sectional title opportunities. The development is designed to be an eco-conscious coastal estate characterized by wild grasslands, ocean views and rehabilitated indigenous forests. Facilities include a country club with multi-disciplinary sports, an equestrian centre with arena’s and stabling, direct beach access and 26km of walking, running and bridle trails through rehabilitated natural forest and grasslands. Later stages of the development will include commercial mixed-use nodes offering retail, education, and office facilities. The development is near the popular leisure towns of Salt Rock and Ballito.

Vantage first invested in Seaton in January 2022 by arranging R360 million of mezzanine funding for development of initial phases of common use infrastructure and bulk services (primarily for single residential units). After a 4-year investment period, Vantage has been fully exited through a combination of sale proceeds and a senior debt refinance by FedGroup.

Werksmans acted as legal counsel for Vantage.

Roshal Ramdenee, Partner at Vantage Capital, said “This investment demonstrates how structured mezzanine capital can unlock large-scale infrastructure development in complex residential projects. Our funding enabled the timely delivery of critical bulk infrastructure, which in turn supported strong sales momentum and value creation across the estate. We are pleased to have partnered with Collins Residential on a high-quality coastal development and to have achieved an outcome that reflects both the strength of the underlying asset and disciplined execution over the investment period”

Luc Albinski, Executive Chairman at Vantage Capital, added “Seaton Estates marked the first investment of our Fund IV program and set the tone for what we aim to achieve. From the outset, we partnered with an exceptionally entrepreneurial KZN-based group known for executing large and complex developments. Despite the disruptions of the KZN riots, extreme weather events, and unavoidable approval delays, the partnership remained resilient. Collaborating with such a professional and committed team has been a genuine pleasure.”

Jon De Bufanos, Financial Director at Collins Residential added “Vantage Capital’s mezzanine funding played an important role in supporting the delivery of key infrastructure during the early phases of the Seaton Estates development. The funding structure gave us flexibility during a challenging period, while allowing the project to continue progressing in a measured and disciplined way. We appreciated Vantage’s practical, collaborative approach throughout the investment period and their contribution to the development of Seaton.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vantage Capital Group.

For more information contact:
Luc Albinski 
Executive Chairman – Vantage Capital 
luc@vantagecapital.co.za 
+ 27 (0) 83 390 7703                                      

Roshal Ramdenee
Partner – Vantage Capital
roshal@vantagemezzanine.com

Abigail Brews
Senior Associate – Vantage Capital
abigail@vantagecapital.co.za

About Vantage Capital:
Vantage Capital Group was established in 2001 and is the largest independent pan-African mezzanine debt fund manager on the African continent. It has raised funds of US$ 1.6 billion in seven distinct mezzanine and renewable energy debt funds as well as in a technology fund and has to date made 66 investments across the African continent.

Vantage targets investment opportunities, with a focus on mezzanine debt, of US$ 10 – 50m across more than a dozen key African markets. Mezzanine debt is an intermediate form of risk capital, which is situated between senior debt, the lowest risk tranche of the capital structure, and equity, the highest risk. It combines elements of both debt and equity thereby providing companies with long-term funding on terms which are less dilutive to shareholders than pure equity.

Vantage recently launched an education investment platform which is targeting the education markets of Poland and Czechia.

Website: www.VantageCapital.co.za

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Africa’s Rare Earth Momentum Builds as Global Demand Triples by 2035

Source: APO


.

Global demand for rare earths is set to triple by 2035, reaching 150,000 tons from 91,000 tons in 2024. As producers and consumers seek new sources of supply to meet this surge, Africa is increasingly coming into focus. Projected to account for 9% of global output by 2029, the continent is accelerating exploration and drilling activity as governments and developers move to translate geological potential into commercial production. While large-scale output remains underdeveloped, Africa’s high-grade deposits, improving project economics and faster development timelines are positioning it as a strategic supplier of critical minerals to global markets.

Expanding Africa’s Exploration Portfolio

As the adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and advanced manufacturing accelerates global demand for rare earths, African countries are scaling up exploration efforts to delineate resources, support job creation and attract international mining investment.

London-listed Pensana commenced preparations for a 7,000-meter infill drilling program at Longonjo Mine in Angola – the country’s first rare earth project. The program is designed to support an early 2027 mining and stockpiling schedule, with initial production of 20,000 tons per annum (tpa) and options to increase output to 40,000 tpa in a second phase. At full scale, the Longonjo project is projected to supply approximately 5% of the world’s magnetic rare earths, positioning Angola as a key supplier on the global market.

Meanwhile, in Botswana, Canada’s Tsodilo Resources is planning a 15,000-meter drilling campaign in 2026 at the Gcwihaba project for resource definition, while Kavango Resources intends to conduct additional drilling at its Ditau project as it seeks partners for expansion. In South Africa, Rainbow Rare Earths is advancing drilling at its Phalaborwa project, targeting completion of a feasibility study by the end of 2026. Namibia’s ReExploration continues exploration activities at its Eureka and Lofdal projects, following several private placements raised in 2025. Meanwhile, in Mozambique’s Tete province, Altona Rare Earths is drilling at the Monte Muambe high-grade gallium project, which has already defined a maiden mineral resource estimate of 13.6 million tons at 2.42% total rare earth oxides.

Rising Demand Bolsters Foreign Spending 

While the majority of Africa’s rare earth production assets remain in construction or pre-production phases, global investor appetite for the continent’s resource potential continues to strengthen, with several projects securing financing to accelerate deployment.

In October 2025, South Africa’s Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine secured its first tranche of funding from the Industrial Development Corporation, supporting the development of the project’s metallurgical phase and underpinning its production expansion plans. Hosting one of the world’s highest-grade rare earth deposits, with an average grade of 14.5% total rare earth oxides, the project reinforces South Africa’s emerging role in the global rare earth supply chain.

Momentum is also building in Malawi, where the Songwe Hill rare earth project secured $4.6 million in financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation in September 2025 to advance front-end engineering and design studies. As Africa is forecast to attract up to $50 billion in investment for critical minerals development between 2024 and 2040, rare earth projects are increasingly central to converting rising investor interest into tangible capital flows and near-term production capacity.

Stepping into this picture, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) – scheduled for October 14-16, 2026 in Cape Town – will spotlight key project milestones and emerging investment opportunities across the continent’s rare earth sector. The event will feature high-level panel discussions, exhibitions and exclusive networking sessions, bringing together global investors with African projects, regulators and stakeholders from across the rare earths value chain.

AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026 conference from October 12-16 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Minister Tau emphasises importance of industrialisation

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister Tau emphasises importance of industrialisation

Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Minister Parks Tau has emphasised the importance of investments that support industrialisation in South Africa. 

The Minister made these remarks during a high-level panel discussion on critical minerals, held alongside fellow Ministers and private-sector representatives at the Investment Forum at the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Tuesday. 

The session was held under the theme Building Critical Minerals Value Chains in South Africa.

“The focus is now on ensuring that investments from other countries are linked to industrialisation in South Africa. The objective is to review and negotiate trade partnerships to prevent minerals from being exported without delivering meaningful benefits to the country,” Tau said.

He further highlighted the importance of Special Economic Zones in advancing industrialisation, noting that efforts are focused on attracting targeted investors to utilise these zones as platforms for industrial development.

“The dtic is tasked with implementing measures to ensure genuine beneficiation. The emphasis is on moving beyond the extraction and export of minerals to adding value through local processing, close to the source, for broader societal benefit. 

“Measures to support value addition include repositioning trade agreements, particularly with developed countries, reviewing how South Africa partners with other nations, and providing dynamic fiscal and supply-chain support to local industries.”

While deliberating on the shift from traditional trade agreements to those that support industrialisation and investment in South Africa, the Minister cited the recent agreement with China as an example of this new approach, which includes a pipeline of investment projects. 

He noted that four priority areas have been identified, with industrialisation being one of them.

“The early harvest programme will be unveiled by 26 March, focusing on industries in which Chinese investors will industrialise in South Africa. 

“The programme is designed to ensure that Chinese investments contribute to local industrialisation, rather than merely exporting products to the Chinese market,” Tau added.

The importance of critical minerals in advancing e-mobility and digitisation was also highlighted.

He outlined the dtic’s policy strategy linked to the transition of the automotive sector, which emphasises South Africa’s broader objectives of decarbonisation, digitisation and diversification.

The session was hosted by the dtic in partnership with the Departments of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), and Water and Sanitation (DWS). 

“Policy stability under the Critical Minerals Strategy and the G20 Framework remains critical to the economy. 

“South Africa has adopted a Critical Minerals Strategy and Implementation Plan that positions the country as a reliable supplier and value-adding hub for minerals essential to the global energy transition, digitalisation and advanced manufacturing. This is further reinforced by the adoption of the G20 Critical Minerals Framework at the G20 Leaders’ Summit,” the Minister said.

The forum was attended by the international mining and exploration companies, battery mineral processors and electric vehicle manufacturers, development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds and investors, as well as local mining firms and junior miners, are expected to attend the forum. 

In addition, engineering, water management and logistics companies, provincial investment promotion agencies (IPAs), and diplomatic missions are also expected to form part of the discussions. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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