February 2012
Jobs, infrastructure and ‘the one' employment barrier
The editorial this month looks at President Zuma's state-of-the-nation address, in which he announced intentions to invest in a massive infrastructure development drive, not for the sake of mere building, but, as he says: "Investment in infrastructure must leave more than just power stations, rail-lines, dams and roads. It must industrialise the country, generate skills and boost much-needed job creation."
On the power side, Zuma has promised to approach Eskom with a view to stemming the tide of rising prices, but acknowledges that tariffs need to remain at levels to ensure that Eskom remains financially viable. Nothing new about power infrastructure development was mentioned, possibly because of the ongoing new-build projects.
On the private sector side of the infrastructure debate, KPMG's recent Global Construction Survey 2012, reveals that the power and energy sectors offer the greatest short-term revenue opportunities for construction companies. Just over 40% of global respondents, and 78% of the nine SA construction companies that participated, indicated that the energy sector provides the greatest opportunities for revenue growth in the short term.
When asked about the barriers to the growth of the construction sector, respondents perceived a lack of government policies and leadership as the biggest barrier and most expressed concern about the ability of the public sector to drive infrastructure investment. "Governments around the world need to create an environment that encourages private sector investment, addresses regulatory and legislative barriers and they need to show the kind of long-term will that transcends immediate political popularity," says KPMG Africa's construction leader Gavin Maile.
Can Zuma's plan achieve this? And, more importantly, will his programme help to create jobs?
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This magazine's features:
• Proactive maintenance, lubrication and contamination management
• Materials handling and logistics
• Manufacturing technology and plant automation
• Heating, cooling, ventilation and air conditioning
• Innovative engineering
In this issue
Our Special report looks at the procurement of professional power services, and wonders who actually holds the power. We attend CESA's presidential breakfast to find out more about the global issues impacting the industry.
In Proactive maintenance, lubrication and contamination management, we lead with an article by Zarheer Jooma of e-Hazard, who uses several excellent case studies to identify the one common factor involved in maintenance-related accidents. This is an article not to be missed.
MechTech's Materials handling and logistics lead article looks at retractable return idlers and overland conveyors. We visit Melco Conveyor Equipment to discuss this company's advanced idler technology.
In Heating, cooling, ventilation and air conditioning, we visit southern Africa's technology leader in smelters and submerged air furnaces, Metix, to discuss SA's niche ferroalloys furnace technology. A point to note is that German-based SMS Siemag Group has acquired a majority shareholding in this company.
Manufacturing technology covers Rio-Carb's recognition as a preferred supplier of CrC liner plates to the local iron ore industry; and our next lead article covers Robor, which recently welcomed Baldwins into its impressive family of companies.
Our popular Innovative engineering feature covers Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom's keynote address delivered at a joint event organised by the CSIR and Aerosud, highlighting the importance of continued investment in SA's high-tech aviation industry.
Please note that in March, MechTech will be covering:
• Pump systems, pipes, valves and seals
• Robotics, mechatronics and automation
• Power, energy and energy management
• Modern transport and vehicle solutions
• Innovative engineering
