MIL Africa Engine

The South African business delegation who participated in the largest international business and multi-sector exhibition in Angola are returning home with a strong pipeline of promising trade leads. 

The delegation showcased proudly South African products and services at the Feira Internacional de Angola (FILDA), held in Luanda from 21 to 26 July 2026, with support from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic).

The exporters represented the agro-processing, steel and metal fabrication, engineering and mining, and chemical sectors.

Speaking on his experience, owner of La RicMal Wines, Malcolm Green, said he received positive responses from importers and distributors in the Angolan market, which he attributed to the quality, pricing and packaging of his products.

“There are also businesses operating in Angola that serve markets beyond the country’s borders, including neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Namibia, who showed interest in doing business with us. This creates an opportunity for our products to enter Angola and subsequently move into other regional markets.

“FILDA has grown, and there is a clear appetite among the international business community to invest in Africa. I see Angola as a gateway, with FILDA serving as an important conduit for South African businesses seeking to access other African markets,” Green said.

Johannesburg-based steel fabrication company InfraPower Engineering explored new export opportunities, partnerships and collaborations across Africa and international markets.

The company engaged with potential clients and collaborators from Angola, Zimbabwe, India and other countries represented at the exhibition.

“The exhibition generated strong interest in our products, with visitors making inquiries and requesting pricing on some of the offerings. We are pleased that we participated and look forward to engaging further with the clients and potential clients we have met,”  the Managing Director of InfraPower, Rakgomo Maetje, said.

Lizwile Engineering targeted strategic partnerships and new export opportunities in Angola, with a focus on supporting the country’s infrastructure, mining, energy and oil and gas sectors.

Lizwile Engineering Executive Director Nomagugu Mvelase said the company established relationships with several companies in Angola during the exhibition and is exploring further collaboration with South African companies.

“We are also pursuing opportunities in other African markets, including Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya. Our technical expertise and experience in delivering projects under challenging conditions positions us to contribute meaningfully to infrastructure development across the continent,” Mvelase said.

TLT-Turbo Africa explored opportunities in Angola’s growing oil and gas and mining sectors, with a particular focus on refinery upgrades and the development of underground mining operations.

TLT-Turbo Africa Director of Sales and Marketing Vusi Madlopha said engaging with local markets provided an opportunity for businesses to learn about the languages and cultures that drive business in different African countries.

“We believe it is a good opportunity for us to be here now and establish our structure with the local agents we have identified so that we can exploit the business opportunities in this country,” he said.

Founder and Brand Development Executive of Eastern Cape-based Analit Africa Consumer Brands, Lungisa Lutshaba, said participation at FILDA 2026 had opened significant opportunities for partnerships, distribution and investment as the company explores expanding its products into the Angolan market.

The company manufactures in-house food brands and organic premium skincare brands.

“We have identified potential distributors and partners interested in establishing relationships and investing in the business. 

“We also engaged with representatives from a major bank, who requested a business plan, while major retailers and packaging companies expressed interest in further discussions,” Lutshaba said.

More than 2 000 visitors were recorded at the South African pavilion, where companies gathered 82 trade leads, met 341 buyers and participated in 55 business-to-business meetings.

The trade exhibition forms part of the government’s efforts to actively shape export markets by expanding opportunities for South African companies and improving the effectiveness of export promotion measures across the African continent. – SAnews.gov.za

The eThekwini Municipality has received a financial boost after independent ratings agency Global Credit Ratings (GCR) revised its credit outlook from negative to stable, while affirming the city’s long-term AA-(ZA) investment-grade credit rating.

The improved outlook is an endorsement of the municipality’s strengthened financial position, improved infrastructure delivery, and disciplined fiscal management, signalling growing confidence in eThekwini’s ability to sustain investment, accelerate service delivery, and build resilience in a challenging economic climate.

eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba welcomed GCR Ratings’ decision, saying the change reflects improved infrastructure delivery, sound financial management and stronger operational performance.

“This outcome is an independent endorsement of the progress we have made in implementing the Municipality’s financial strategy, accelerating investment in critical infrastructure, and maintaining fiscal discipline through a conservative debt profile, stable collection rates, and continued access to funding despite a challenging operating environment,” Xaba said.

Xaba also commended City Manager Musa Mbhele, Chief Financial Officer, Dr Sandile Mnguni, the Finance Cluster and all municipal departments for their collective role in strengthening the municipality’s financial position and reinforcing investor confidence.

While affirming the improved outlook, GCR Ratings also highlighted areas requiring continued attention, including reducing water losses, strengthening debt collection, improving environmental sustainability, and enhancing governance and internal controls.

The municipality said these priorities form part of its long-term financial sustainability and infrastructure renewal programme.

According to the municipality, the revised Stable outlook provides greater assurance to investors, lenders, residents and businesses that the eThekwini Municipality is consolidating its financial strength while accelerating infrastructure investment to drive economic growth, improve service delivery, and build a resilient metropolitan economy. – SAnews.gov.za

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has allocated R1.2 billion in its 2026/27 budget, with a significant portion earmarked for farmer support, agricultural production and rural development.

MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Madoda Sambatha announced the allocations during the department’s Budget Vote and Policy Speech at the North West Provincial Legislature recently.

The department has set aside R153.1 million through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) to provide farmers with production inputs, including seeds and fertiliser, as well as infrastructure support.

A further R35.5 million has been allocated to extension and advisory services, which the department says will provide farmers with greater access to technical expertise.

The budget also includes R8.3 million for training more than 2 200 farmers in crop production, animal production and agro-processing.

The department has allocated R10.6 million to farmer mentorship programmes, while R12.05 million will support unemployed agricultural graduates through training and stipends.

The combined allocation for farmer development initiatives amounts to R22.7 million.

Sambatha said the investment in extension and advisory services was intended to improve access to technical support and help farmers operate sustainable and competitive enterprises.

The budget has been welcomed by some farmers, including emerging poultry farmer and agro-processor Kesaobaka Sejesho from Christiana in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.

Sejesho said the focus on youth, women, agro-processing and poultry farming could help emerging producers expand their businesses and create jobs. She said the success of the budget would depend on whether the announced interventions translated into practical support for farmers.

Farmer Neo Mohlamme from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District also welcomed the policy direction, particularly plans to assist farmers who do not have access to land.

The department said the interventions were aimed at strengthening agricultural production, expanding opportunities for emerging farmers and supporting rural livelihoods.

It called on farmers, stakeholders and partners to work with government to ensure the budgeted programmes result in measurable improvements in the agricultural sector. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured an order for the preservation of two multimillion-rand properties linked to former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Group Chief Executive Officer, Lucky Montana.

The order relates to an investigation conducted by the SIU, which found alleged links to the purchase of the homes and proceeds derived from PRASA’s R5.6 billion Integrated Security Access Management System (ISAMS) contract awarded to Siyangena Technologies, a subsidiary of TMM Holdings.

“This contract involved the installation, supply, and maintenance of ISAMS at various train stations, part of a pilot project aimed at upgrading specific stations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to reduce fare evasion and to cater for the anticipated volumes of commuters during the tournament.

“The equipment included public address systems, access gates, and electronic display boards to enhance the safety, accessibility and efficiency of the public rail commuter system, which PRASA is legally obligated to provide and maintain,” the SIU explained.

Owing to budget constraints, not all stations received upgrades but a decision was made to “proceed with the pilot project to extend to other remaining World Cup 2010 stations, with Siyangena as the contractor”.

“By April 2016, the total value of Siyangena’s ISAMS contracts had reached R5.632 [billion]. The SIU’s investigation found that Montana’s legitimate income could not account for the purchase of either property now subjected to a preservation order.

“Instead, bank records showed that the funds were directly connected to payments made by companies within the TMM group and Precise Trade and Invest 02 (Pty) Ltd. The Director of Precise Trade and Invest was also the lawyer representing the TMM group of companies,” the unit stated.

Luxury living

The two preserved properties are:

• A Hurlingham, Johannesburg, property purchased at R13.5 million, and
• A Waterkloof, Pretoria, property purchased at R2.25 million.

“The SIU investigation found that Precise Trade and Invest’s bank records show that on 18 June 2014, the company received two payments, including R1.850 million from ESS (Pty) Ltd, which is part of the TMM group of companies, and R4 million from TMM Holdings.

“Precise Trade and Invest then transferred R2.25 million to Waterkloof property transferring attorneys. The Waterkloof property was subsequently purchased and transferred into Montana’s name in 2014,” the SIU said.

Regarding the Johannesburg home, the corruption busting unit’s investigation found that the purchase was made through a “series of linked transactions involving Precise Trade and Invest, Midtownbrace (Pty) Ltd… and TMM Holdings”.

Evidence shows that:

• On 23 March 2015, Precise Trade and Invest transferred R2 million to the transferring attorneys’ trust account;
• On 23 April 2015, Siyangena transferred R13 million to TMM Holdings after receiving substantial contract payments from PRASA;
• On the same day, TMM Holdings transferred R12 million to Midtownbrace, whose account previously reflected a zero balance, and
• Midtownbrace then transferred R11.5 million to the transferring attorneys, enabling the purchase of the Hurlingham property, which was registered in Montana’s name in July 2015 for R13.5 million. The house that was on the property was demolished by Montana.

“The Tribunal has since directed the respondents to appear on 11 August 2026 to show why the interim preservation order should not be made final. The Tribunal also ordered that the main proceedings against Montana must be instituted within 30 days of the order.

“The SIU welcomes the Tribunal order and regards the decision as an important step in safeguarding assets pending the finalisation of civil recovery proceedings. The SIU remains committed to recovering financial losses suffered by the State, holding those responsible accountable, and protecting public resources from corruption,” the SIU said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has invited applications from suitably qualified and interested individuals to serve as Independent Panel members of the National Arts Council (NAC).

The applicants should possess appropriate knowledge, experience and expertise in the fields of Arts and Culture, Corporate Governance, Human Resources, Law, Finance and Auditing, Public Administration, Risk Management and any other field relevant to the governance of public entities.

The Independent Panel will be responsible for shortlisting, interviewing, and making recommendations on candidates for appointment to the Council of the National Arts Council (NAC).

“The applicants should also have extensive senior management or governance experience, demonstrable knowledge of good corporate governance principles, sound understanding of the public sector legislative and governance environment, the ability to exercise independence, fairness, integrity and impartiality, excellent interviewing skills, assessment and decision-making skills and no actual or perceived conflict of interest that may compromise the integrity of the appointment process,” the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said.

Members appointed to the Independent Panel will be expected to assess all nominations received for appointment to the National Arts Council, develop and apply fair and objective assessment criteria, shortlist candidates for interviews, conduct interviews and recommend suitable candidates to the Minister for appointment to the Council of the NAC. 

The Panel is expected to maintain strict confidentiality throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Interested individuals who wish to serve on the Independent Panel should submit the following:

• A recently updated Curriculum Vitae of the nominee, including three(3) contactable references; and
• Certified copies of Identity Document and educational qualifications.

Failure to submit the above requested documents will result in the application not being considered. 

If you have not been contacted within three months of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. 

The applications must reach the Director-General of the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture by 04 August 2026 at 12 pm. –SAnews.gov.za