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The South African
5 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Cape Town among the top global destinations for this kind of event
Cape Town continues to grow in popularity with visitors. Image via Pixabay. Home » Cape Town among the top global destinations for this kind of event Cape Town continues to grow in popularity with visitors. Image via Pixabay. Cape Town is growing in popularity with business travellers. In fact, a new report shows that the city is now one of the world's top destinations for international conventions. That's according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) GlobeWatch 2024 Business Analytics Report. The report provides insight into global association meetings, including the favourite destinations for such conferences. Cape Town has risen 15 spots in the ICCA GlobeWatch 2024 rankings for international association meetings. It now ranks 35th globally. The city also ranks in the top 10 globally for average attendance per event. 717 delegates attend the average event in the city. Cape Town hosted 58 international meetings in 2024, up from 42 in 2023. Smaller towns like Stellenbosch also hosted multiple events, reflecting a province-wide trend. South Africa as a whole remains the top country in Africa for international meetings. The country hosted 98 international meetings in both 2023 and 2024. The business events industry generated over R2 billion for the national economy in that period. The rise is attributed to strategic bidding, strong public-private partnerships, and increasing interest in the region as a hub for knowledge-sharing and innovation. Wesgro, the official tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, welcomed the news. In a statement on Bizcommunity, CEO Wrenelle Stander said: 'This ranking shows that Cape Town and the Western Cape stand shoulder to shoulder with global conference hubs such as Dubai, Barcelona, and Melbourne. We are particularly pleased that smaller towns across the province are experiencing the benefits of business events.' Stander added that Wesgro secured 36 new conference bids for 2024/25, projecting an impact of R745 million and over 27 000 delegates through 2028. Cape Town's rise in the rankings was also celebrated by Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer. Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, also welcomed the news. The Mother City's popularity is by no means slowing down. Cape Town will host a plethora of conventions in the next few years, including: International Communication Association Congress (2026) World Congress on ADHD (2027) World Congress of Entomology (2028) Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
08-05-2025
- Business
- News24
SA's film industry is grappling with govt shortcomings — and now Trump is in the picture
Inconsistent payouts from a government scheme to lure foreign film production to SA has damaged the industry. That's according to industry players, who are now concerned about the effect of US tariffs on foreign-made films. The government acknowledges the problem and says high demand for rebates led to budgetary constraints. For more financial news, go to the News24 Business homepage. Troubles getting payment from the incentive system meant to attract international film companies to South Africa have left the industry fragile, those in the industry say. Further pain now looms after US President Donald Trump announced movies are also in his sights as he continues down a tariff warpath. South Africa has historically been a beloved destination for international film companies to shoot in, Unathi Malunga, executive officer at the South African Screen Federation (SASFED), told News24. The federation is the national representative of independent film, television and audiovisual industry organisations. South Africa is relatively inexpensive to film in compared to other destinations. It has good weather, an abundance of talent, and a variety of shooting destinations. This is especially true in the Western Cape and Cape Town. Wesgro, the official tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for these provinces, and the City of Cape Town recognise this and run initiatives to support the industry. Films such as Mad Max: Fury Road, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, Blood Diamond, and The Kissing Booth were either partly or primarily filmed in South Africa. Delon Bakker, chairperson of the Independent Producers' Organisation — a body that represents independent South African film, television, and digital media producers — said the incentives were a key part of attracting companies to shoot in South Africa. 'Our film incentives are crucially important to holding up our industry,' he said. However, inconsistent payments to companies that have applied to the fund have caused serious reputational damage to the South African film industry. Accurate statistics on the size of the South African film industry are hard to come by. However, pre-pandemic data presented by the National Film and Video Foundation suggests that film productions have a relatively high economic multiplier. This means that films shot locally have significant benefits for the local economy. Because of this, many countries offer incentives to film companies to attract them to shoot there. Countries such as Australia, Morocco, Canada, France, New Zealand, the UK, and Brazil offer such incentives. South Africa also has a foreign film incentive administered by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic). The rebate allows qualifying companies to claim a minimum of 25% of their South African production expenditure back. This is contingent on the project meeting certain empowerment and local spending requirements. The rebate can go higher than 25% but is capped at a maximum value of R25 million. There is also an incentive for local film companies. Payment troubles News24 understands that inefficiencies, disputes, and delayed payments from the incentive date back to 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and have not been fully resolved. At one point, several companies who had applied and been given pre-approval for the incentive, later had that approval repudiated, with the dtic citing new guidelines for the fund. The repudiation was later overturned in many cases. This has caused trust issues for companies considering working in South Africa. Malunga said that trust is essential as the incentive is structured as a rebate, meaning companies first need to spend before claiming some of that expenditure back. 'There are two things that are necessary for an incentive. There has to be certainty, and there has to be reliability. Otherwise, there is no trust.' She said that this has resulted in companies turning away from South Africa. 'We were a beloved destination to come to. We lost all that,' she said. Bakker echoed this sentiment. 'Some companies are extremely sceptical of the South African rebate. I deal with this all the time,' he said. In February this year, film workers protested outside the dtic offices in Tshwane to demand action to resolve the rebate system. READ | SA film industry demands DTIC action to salvage collapsing rebate system In response to questions from News24, dtic spokesperson Yamkela Fanisi acknowledged that the film rebate programme has had issues, which he attributed to budgetary constraints brought on by the incentive's popularity. 'Due to the success and popularity of the incentive, the programme has been oversubscribed, and the demand outstripped the budget available; therefore, the dtic is dealing with the budgetary constraint challenge while exploring different options in ensuring that approved productions are paid and the incentive continue to support the SA economy in a meaningful way,' he said. Fanisi did not respond to questions about the current scale of the non-payment problem prior to publication. And there's a sequel Trump's recent threat to impose a 100% tariff on movies could cause further issues for the South African industry. On Sunday evening, Trump made a post on Truth Social, ordering the introduction of a tariff on all movies coming into the US that are produced in 'foreign lands'. Several commentators have pointed out that the proposed tariff does not make sense, and there are numerous practical uncertainties about how it will work. Regardless, the threat signals Trump's intention to introduce an intervention so that more films will be made in the US rather than abroad. Malunga, who said she was speaking about the tariffs in her personal capacity, said that in the short run, any further uncertainty caused by Trump's impromptu announcement could result in deal negotiations between South African and US companies being put on hold. 'The uncertainty alone can delay production and financing,' she said in a Facebook post that she sent to News24. In the medium to long term, Malunga said that there could be a structural shift that results in less international films being shot in South Africa. Nosipho Maketo-Van den Bragt, the CEO of Chocolate Tribe, a visual effects and animation studio with offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, said there was 'palpable tension' as the South African film industry tries to digest what the tariff could mean for its businesses. She said Chocolate Tribe, which has worked with companies like Netflix, Amazon, and the BBC, gets around 70% to 80% of its work from international film companies. She said that Chocolate Tribe has been trying to increase the share of its work on local productions in South Africa or the continent, such that there is a fifty-fifty split between local and international projects. Beyond the practical issues that the tariff could create, Maketo-Van den Bragt said that, in her view, the tariff does not align with the purpose of film. 'It's problematic because film itself is really about experiencing a global story. There is a strong push toward local stories that have global resonance.' She said it would be difficult to collaborate with the US if it took an isolationist approach. Wake-up call Bakker said that fixing the foreign film incentive was the 'greatest weapon' the government could use to protect the local industry from the potential impact of a US tariff. 'This is a call to the government to resolve its incentive programme immediately to combat the adverse effects. Even with these tariffs, we could still be very economical. We are one of the most inexpensive places in the world to shoot a movie,' he said. He said there was abundant talent in the South African industry, meaning we could be one of the few locations that 'still look good'. 'We could still be in the market if our incentive programme is working efficiently. Government needs to heed this call,' he said. Fanisi said the dtic was committed to offering film incentives for international and local film companies and had told the industry that their claims would be honoured. Wesgro told News24 that it was assessing the potential impact of the tariff and was committed to supporting businesses in the industry. 'Wesgro is in the process of assessing the potential impact, noting full details have yet to be announced. We remain committed to supporting businesses in the Western Cape navigate these challenges with confidence and support,' it said.
Zawya
12-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
How climate change puts South Africa's water at risk, and why PPPs can help?
The impacts of climate change on South Africa's fresh water resources are becoming increasingly apparent, and without urgent interventions, new infrastructure models and private participation, the water crisis could exceed already worrying predictions. This is according to water and wastewater treatment industry stakeholders and experts on the advisory board of the upcoming IFAT Africa trade fair. Organised by Messe Muenchen India and Messe München GmbH, IFAT Africa is the only conference and trade fair for water, sewage, refuse and recycling in Southern Africa, which will be held alongside Analytica Lab Africa, the only trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, biotechnology and diagnostics in South Africa, in July this year. South Africa, one of the 30 driest countries in the world, is grappling with water infrastructure and management challenges that put its water security at growing risk, which is exacerbated by climate change. Belvana Abeli, Green Economy Portfolio Manager at Wesgro, says: 'The impacts of climate change are increasingly evident, with erratic rainfall patterns and more frequent and intense droughts and floods, making water management incredibly challenging. Sea level rise threatens coastal freshwater sources, and increased evaporation due to higher temperatures exacerbates scarcity. Environmental degradation also plays a major role. Deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution all compromise water quality and availability.' Abeli says addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive strategy encompassing increased investment, improved governance, regional cooperation, technological innovation, and strong community participation, all within an integrated water resource management framework. Climate mitigation measures 'To address these challenges, we need a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, we must prioritise building more resilient infrastructure from the ground up,' Abeli says. 'This means utilising stronger, more durable materials, reinforcing structures to withstand extreme weather events, and strategically elevating critical components above potential flood levels. Secondly, diversifying our water resources is key. We need to explore and invest in alternative sources like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and even desalination where appropriate, reducing our reliance on single, potentially vulnerable sources. Thirdly, embracing advanced technology for monitoring and prediction is crucial. Implementing early warning systems, utilising remote sensing and GIS mapping, and employing data analytics can provide us with the foresight needed to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of droughts and floods. Also, we can't underestimate the importance of water conservation and efficient use.' Thabo Kabini (Pr. Senior Specialist at Industrial Development Corporation, agrees: 'To adapt water infrastructure to withstand climate change impacts such as droughts and floods, investment in resilient infrastructure is essential. This includes expanding storage capacity through reservoirs and aquifer recharge systems, incorporating nature-based solutions such as wetlands for flood control, and using climate-resilient materials in construction. Diversification of water sources, such as desalination, water reuse, and rainwater harvesting, can provide alternative supply options. Climate-smart planning that integrates predictive modeling and early warning systems can also help mitigate extreme weather effects on water supply and distribution networks.' Abeli adds: 'We also need to consider ecosystem-based solutions. Protecting and restoring natural systems like wetlands and forests can play a significant role in regulating water flow and enhancing natural water storage. These strategies, combined with adaptive management approaches that allow us to adjust to changing conditions, will be essential in building a water-secure future in the face of climate change. However, all of these measures require funds and partnerships.' Financing, infrastructure and rights challenges Carl Haycock, CEO of sustainable water and wastewater solutions specialists Talbot, outlines several other challenges impacting water security across Africa. Haycock says: 'Urbanisation is outpacing infrastructure development with an associated lack of planning in many regions. Funding for public sector infrastructure development is a real challenge in a space where water affordability is in itself a challenge. PPPs are the go to political solution, however, the private component of the PPP requires that the investment is repaid.' Another key issue is revenue allocation/ring fencing, he says: 'Water infrastructure requires upgrades, operation and maintenance investment over the long term. Few fiscuses ringfence water revenue to re-invest in water: instead water revenue often goes into the general fiscus.' Haycock notes that cross border water rights can also pose a significant challenge with different countries not necessarily coordinating efforts to ensure sustainable use of limited resources. Reuse and recycling for water security Charl McAllister, Head of Department: Marketing at Endress + Hauser, says advanced wastewater treatment and recycling is also crucial for overcoming South Africa's water challenges. 'Well known treatment technologies that can be deployed across the continent include gravity and or membrane filtration, evaporation, biological treatment; combination of chemical reactions and separation technologies, demineralisation, advanced oxidation, and disinfection,' he says. 'More advanced technologies include reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and ultraviolet systems. However, these require a substantial amount of energy and may not be holistically viable across the continent.' On the issue of improving wastewater treatment to make water safe for reuse in agriculture and industry, McAllister says: 'The deployment of advanced treatment technologies at primary, secondary and tertiary treatment stages will enhance removal of contaminants. This may not be enough and should be complemented by improvements in irrigation systems designs, nutrient management and soil quality analysis within the agricultural landscape. When considering industrial applications, each industrial process and their respective contaminants need to be identified and addressed. This approach will ensure that any additional pretreatment stages are identified and implemented to meet specific water quality requirements. Monitoring, traceability, and awareness need to be actively managed to ensure compliance, safety, and benefits of treated wastewater reuse.' Limitations in desalination WEC Water Managing Director Wayne Taljaard says: 'New technologies are being developed continuously to offer more effective treatment to allow recycling and reuse. These include biological and physicochemical processes that can be selected on their applicability to achieve the required objectives. There is no silver bullet or one stop solution but the effective and successful integration of a range of technologies will ensure that users achieve the final treatment objectives.' He notes that seawater desalination is now a very mature technology, and the cost of implementation is continuously reducing as technology advances alongside commercial manufacturing and economies of scale. 'Desalination can offer a solution at some coastal regions, such as KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern and Western Cape. However, it requires effective planning to avoid inefficient implementation and price gouging in crisis times.' 'The need for large scale infrastructure developments is fraught with challenges linked to funding, planning and procurement process timelines. The use of rapidly deployed modular treatment plant solutions and innovative plant upgrades using unique technologies offers an attractive alternative to achieve the required short term capacity upgrades to close the current gaps in infrastructure.' Taljaard says. Digital technologies for water security Advanced digital technologies can support efforts to manage water more efficiently, say advisory board members. Terene Govender, Junior Water and Wastewater Industry Developer at Endress + Hauser, says smart water metering helps reduce water wastage and improve efficiency in urban and rural areas. He says: 'In far-reaching areas, where manual methods of water readings can prove to be challenging, smart meters for remote monitoring can provide the required information for the usage of water. With the information obtained, trends can be monitored to determine where water usage can be managed more efficiently. Irregular occurrences can also be observed, such as where water leaks may be present and where focus needs to be placed for enhanced management. Govender notes: 'New technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) have great potential to contribute towards improving the state of water management and distribution within Africa. IoT devices can be used for monitoring to provide valuable insight with regards to water levels, water quality, and water consumption. AI can also be used for predictive maintenance. With the analysis of historical data and live data, process plants can use this information to manage resources and to improve the overall maintenance practices. These new technologies can help create a more reliable water management system overall for the African continent.' PPPs to for shared risk and financing Kabini says: 'Addressing these challenges requires a combination of investment, technological upgrades, and institutional reform.' Public-private collaboration also plays a crucial role in improving water infrastructure and service delivery across Africa, he says. 'The private sector brings in much-needed investment, technology, and operational expertise, which can enhance efficiency and service quality. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) allow for shared risk and financing, enabling large-scale infrastructure projects that governments alone may struggle to fund. Performance-based contracts can ensure accountability in service delivery, while blended finance models can attract additional funding from development finance institutions and climate funds, fostering strong partnerships, governments can leverage private sector strengths while ensuring equitable access to water services. Gary Brown, Sales Manager: Africa and Sub Sahara at thermal hydrolysis leader Cambi, says: 'PPP models play a crucial role in scaling water security projects across Africa by ensuring long-term commitment to skills development, training, and performance validation. This is particularly important for introducing new technologies that utilities may not yet be familiar with. Without such mechanisms, market entry for proven global solutions can be challenging. By leveraging PPPs, alongside climate funds and other financing mechanisms, African utilities can de-risk innovation, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate the adoption of technologies that enhance water security.' The trends, challenges and solutions for Africa's water, wastewater and refuse management sectors will come under discussion at IFAT Africa 2025, where a forum and exhibition will bring stakeholders from across Africa and the world together to consider solutions. IFAT Africa and analytica Lab Africa and will be staged at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from 8 – 10 July 2025. To register as a visitor, go to or
