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The Citizen
05-08-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Groenkloof community revives opposition to mixed-use project near rugby grounds
Groenkloof residents are voicing strong opposition to a proposed development on municipal land next to the historic Harlequins Rugby Club. The land, valued at R33-million, has become the centre of controversy following an announcement by the metro that it intends to lease it for a private mixed-use development. While no final decision has been made, the metro has begun a public participation process that could see the land put out on tender if the council gives the go-ahead. Community member and local representative Yvette Loots said the proposal feels like a revival of a plan introduced just before the COVID-19 pandemic. She said at the time, a private developer proposed a precinct similar to Loftus Park, with restaurants, office spaces, and medical suites. According to Loots, the Groenkloof community opposed the plan so firmly that the developer eventually withdrew. 'We thought it was over and done with, but now the city has come back with essentially the same idea. 'They're asking how we feel about it, but it feels like they're already laying the groundwork to put the land out to tender.' Loots explained that community objections go beyond sentiment. She said the neighbourhood is already under pressure from traffic congestion, infrastructure limitations, and increased usage of nearby facilities like Crawford College and Life Groenkloof Hospital. 'Totius Street is a narrow two-lane road with no shoulders, and the traffic on Saturdays from school sports and hospital activity is already a nightmare.' Loots said adding a three-storey hotel and entertainment space will break the system. According to Loots, the land could be better used for recreation and sports, particularly as there is a shortage of rugby fields in the area. 'Harlequins and Pretoria Rugby Club are both right here, and they're struggling with space. Right now, Boys High and Sutherland are renting Harlequins' fields because there just aren't enough rugby grounds in the area. 'The club wants to develop an additional field on the land, which makes far more sense than putting up another business complex.' Loots said the community came together earlier this year, including residents from both Groenkloof and the north side of Totius Street, to formally register their objections. She added that everyone agreed to object, but the metro doesn't seem to give much weight to group objections anymore. 'They prefer individual objections, so now everyone is submitting their concerns one by one.' Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed that no resolution has been passed by the council to lease the property. 'Council has only approved the initiation of a public participation process in terms of Regulation 35 of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations.' He said the metro will compile a report incorporating public input to be submitted to the council for a final decision. Bokaba added that the development under consideration is a mixed-use project, which combines residential, commercial, institutional, and possibly light industrial elements. He noted that the property currently has split zoning for public open space, railway, and existing streets as defined in the 2024 Tshwane Land-Use Management Scheme. 'For development to proceed, appropriate land-use rights, township establishment, and subdivision would all be required following council approval.' Bokaba emphasised that the metro views the land as underutilised. 'The property in question is currently being used only in part by the rugby club. 'Revenue generation is essential for the metro to fulfil its service delivery mandate, and the group property department is mandated to support this objective.' When asked about the feedback received so far, Bokaba said public participation meetings were held onsite and online in June, with notices also published in local newspapers. The metro is now consolidating all submissions, which will be compiled into a report for the council. 'All objections submitted were acknowledged. Equal standing and equal weight are afforded to all objections, regardless of the source.' In response to claims that Harlequins Rugby Club had expressed interest in expanding onto the land, Bokaba said the metro had not been formally made aware of this. He added that the club had previously approached the metro with a request to commercialise a portion of the property it already leases. 'However, it withdrew when it became clear the club would have to relinquish its rights and the developer would have to lease directly from the municipality.' Bokaba said on the issue of traffic and infrastructure, all lease proposals are referred to the relevant internal stakeholders, including the Roads and Transport Department. 'No objections were raised at that stage. However, the metro's group property department has recorded community concerns and will reengage with its roads and transport department for detailed input.' He said the metro may recommend upgrades to infrastructure, depending on the feedback from relevant departments. Bokaba added that the cost of any required infrastructure upgrades would be accepted by the potential lessee, with implementation monitored and approved by the metro. He also clarified that the current process does not involve the sale of the land. 'It is a lease proposal. Based on public input, the metro may recommend that any approved development must include recreational components.' He said the metro remains open to leasing land to community or sports organisations, but is limited by two laws that limit the maximum lease for sports clubs to nine years and 11 months. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. 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IOL News
11-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Pan African Resources achieves record gold production while significantly reducing debt
Pan African Resources on Wednesday reported record second-half gold production and a sharp reduction in debt for the 2025 financial year, as the miner looks to ramp up output by more than 40% in the coming year. The announcement, however, was overshadowed by a fatal accident at its Barberton operation earlier this month. The South Africa-focused gold producer said one employee lost their life at the Sheba Mine on June 6. The company said it will continue efforts to achieve 'zero harm' across its operations. Despite the tragedy, operationally the company ended the fiscal year on a strong note. Gold production for the second half of 2025 is estimated at approximately 112 000 ounces, a 32% increase from the first half (84 705 ounces), driven by improved grades, stronger performance from underground operations, and the ramp-up of tailings retreatment projects. Full-year production is expected at about 197 000 ounces, a 6% increase year-on-year. Cobus Loots, Pan African's CEO, said, "I believe the Group has never been better positioned to take advantage of record gold prices, with record second half gold production being testament to that achievement. Increased cashflow generation and de-gearing is allowing our business to continue to invest and grow, whilst also increasing cash returns to shareholders. The share buy back programme approved by our board demonstrates our confidence in the Group and its prospects." Loots said the commissioning during May 2025 of the processing plant at Tennant Mines in Australia is a significant achievement for the group and maintains its track record of delivering new mining projects on time and within budget. "We have also now demonstrated our ability to commission large scale projects outside of South Africa," he said. In addition to a notable immediate increase in Pan African's production capacity, Loots said Pan African's investment in Tennant also provides for exciting growth in a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction, with some 1700 square kilometres of prospective exploration ground, and our newly established processing plant at Tennant Mines being the only such facility in the region. Debt Falls Sharply, Share Buyback Announced Pan African reduced its net debt by 32% to approximately $155 million (R2.8 billion) as of June 30, 2025, from $228.5m at the end of December. The company expects to be fully degeared during 2026 at current gold prices. The miner also plans to be fully unhedged from July, having exited its final zero-cost collar positions and synthetic forward contracts. In a move to return value to shareholders, Pan African's board has approved a share buyback programme of up to ZAR200 million, starting June 17. "The board believes that at the current share price, the company's shares offer significant value, given the quality and profitability of the group's existing operations and growth projects. The board has, therefore, taken the decision to implement the programme as part of the company's broader strategy to deliver value to shareholders," it said. Cost Guidance Rises The company acknowledged that full-year output fell short of guidance primarily due to slower-than-expected commissioning at two key projects: the Evander sub-vertical shaft and the tailings filter press section at the new Tennant Mines plant. Tennant, which achieved its first gold pour in May, is expected to reach steady-state production of around 50 000 ounces per annum by the first quarter of 2026. Pan African's all-in sustaining costs (AISC) for the second half of 2025 are now forecast between $1 525 and $1 550 per ounce, above prior guidance. For the full year, AISC is expected to range between $1 550 and $1 575/oz, impacted by lower-than-planned production and a $25/oz loss from expired hedge positions. Looking ahead, the company projects 2026 gold production between 275,000 and 292000 ounces - a 40% year-on-year increase - with group AISC expected to fall to between $1 475 and $1 525/oz. Growth will be supported by full-year contributions from the Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) plant, higher production at Evander and Tennant Mines, and improved operating efficiencies at Barberton following a recent restructuring. At midday the share price was up 0.99% at R11.26 on the JSE. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
