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Pandemic disruptions an opportunity for Africa to reimagine cities
The need for social distancing and better sanitation could leapfrog African city development into a more sustainable future.
This is according to Duncan Bonnett, Director Market Access & Research at Africa House, and research partner of exhibition organiser Messe Muenchen South Africa, who says that while Africa’s architects and planners have long been pushing for greener, smarter better designed urban spaces, the Covid-19 pandemic may help fasttrack moves to better living spaces. Speaking ahead of the bauma CONEXPO AFRICA trade show, Bonnett said: “The pandemic has certainly caused delays and disruptions across construction and infrastructure development, but there are some silver linings for the sector, and for Africa as a whole.” These, he said, included a new need for the realignment of developments such as commercial and hospitality spaces, the reconfiguration of retail developments and the reimagining of towns and cities. “We could see redevelopment and remodelling of spaces, the development of new warehousing and logistics hubs as e-commerce really takes off; and the growth of retail distribution infrastructure closer to outlets and consumers,” he says. ”Another opportunity lies in the complete redevelopment of urban spaces in South Africa and across Africa,” he says. “The pandemic is highlighting how difficult it is to maintain safe social distancing and ensure water and sanitation for townships and informal settlements, for example. This is an opportunity for investors, governments and private sector to reconfigure how Africa lives – reimagining housing, green spaces, sanitation, power, and the work environment to ensure that both urban and rural spaces are resilient to disruption such as pandemics.” The growth of urban areas in subSaharan Africa has accelerated in recent years and this growth is expected to pick up over the next 15 years, Bonnett says. “Donors, investors, governments and developers have been striving to improve living environments, but Covid-19 may sharpen minds around a more coordinated approach to developing sustainable, safe settlements.” “In the same way as much of Africa leapfrogged telephony progress and went direct to smartphones, we now have an opportunity to develop new urban areas that are sustainable, environmentally friendly and resilient to disruption. This shock to the system could push us in the right direction to develop better integrated, smarter cities.” Bonnett says Africa has much to learn from international best practice and pan-African forays into sustainable cities and infrastructure. “This is the time to have the conversations and stimulate thinking around how we do this. Events like bauma CONEXPO Africa can play a key role in creating the linkages and getting processes going, so that the futureproof, sustainable African city is not just a theoretical concept.” Suzette Scheepers, CEO of Messe Muenchen South Africa organisers of bauma CONEXPO AFRICA, says new approaches, technologies and construction materials can underpin Africa's efforts to reimagine urban development. "Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, the development will continue, and new opportunities will emerge across the continent. At bauma CONEXPO AFRICA, thought leaders from around the world and across Africa have an opportunity to assess new approaches and forge new partnerships that can support the development of the African cities of the future,” she says. bauma CONEXPO AFRICA, subSaharan Africa's Leading Trade Fair for Construction, Building Material, Mining, Agriculture & Forestry Machines, Machinery and Vehicles, will be staged in Johannesburg.
bauma CONEXPO AFRICA,
XCMG's global live streaming proves a success as third event turnover
Leading Chinese construction machinery manufacturer, XCMG is expected to deliver the first order totalling R149 million (US$8.6 million) placed during its third global live streaming sales event to the Middle East region this weekend.
This includes construction machinery equipment like mobile cranes, a truck-mounted crane, MEWP and forklifts. The third live streaming of XCMG's 2020 International Customer Festival (the "Festival") targeting Middle Eastern and African markets took place on July 16 in the factory shop of XCMG Fire-fighting Safety Equipment Company, the largest fire safety manufacturing base in China.
XCMG demonstrated more than 30 equipment products and introduced the six major construction
solutions of hoisting, road, aerial work platform and special vehicles, earthmoving, logistics and environmental sanitation in English and French. Together with a global audience who joined the live streaming, XCMG unveiled several of its latest products which were designed for the Middle East and Africa, XCA40-M a 40-ton all-terrain crane, 24-metre articulated access, 18-ton heavy-duty forklift. A second-hand equipment trading section of the third live streaming also provided an allnew asset dealing solution for global customers, a total of 18 aerial work platforms were sold successfully. The event attracted a total of 200,000 viewers from China and reached 335,000 in exposure on overseas social networking platforms. The sales generated from the live streaming totalled over R498 million (US$28.74 million) in value.
In addition to showcasing the products in action and introducing the XCMG brand and its products and services to global customers, XCMG also announced a donation of 100,000 medical masks to the Middle East and Africa during the third live streaming. Offering the best deals and the most convenient purchasing experience, XCMG's decision to host the second Festival online through a series of live streaming sessions has proved to be a huge success. Comprehensive presentations of XCMG's flagship products and real-time interactive dialogues answering the audiences' inquiries have significantly improved customer engagement as well as the brand influence. "XCMG is adapting to the everchanging sales and service trends to better serve our customers in international markets, by showcasing the products in live streaming and complete orders online, we not only overcame the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic but also explored new possibilities of the brand's overall international development," said Wang Min, Chairman of XCMG.
XCMG is ready to expand their footprint into South Africa with Forklift, Knuckle Boom Crane, Spider Crane, Tower Crane, MEWP and Harbour equipment dealership opportunities available.
XCMG,
0086 135 8547 4543, rsa@xcmg.com, www.xcmg.com
Electra Mining Africa Connect It’s more than a show
From 7-11 September industry players will unite in celebration of Electra Mining Africa through participation in its live industry webinar series and product showcases, Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect. For the last 46 years, Electra Mining Africa has been at the forefront of delivering the latest products, services and innovations to a captive and receptive audience. Bringing together industries from mining, manufacturing, electrical, power, transport, and new for 2020, automation, it is the largest show of its kind on the African continent, and highly anticipated by all. This cancels the 2020 edition as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic all the more disappointing. To maintain the spirit of the show, from 7-11 September, Electra Mining Africa will be hosting Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect. “In the face of devastating consequences for industries across the board and the economy as a whole, we feel that it’s more important than ever to find ways to continue to support and unite our industries however we can, which is why we have decided to host Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect,” says Gary Corin, Managing Director at Specialised Exhibitions. “The Electra Mining Africa Connect week will enable exhibitors to promote their products and services, free of charge, alongside industry-related informative webinars, media activations and product showcase opportunities,” says Charlene Hefer, Portfolio Director at Specialised Exhibitions. "Whilst we are in no way trying to replace the live event with a digital version, though the concept of the Electra Mining Africa Connect week, we can continue to create value for both exhibitors and visitor groups during a time when innovation is needed most.” Electra Mining Africa’s Association and media partners are pivotal to the success of Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect.
The South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (SAIOSH), the Southern African Protective Equipment Marketing Association (SAPEMA), the Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Control (SAIMC), Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA), South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE), and the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), will be hosting the live webinars in conjunction with Electra Mining Africa. The webinar topics will be aligned with the theme days, with a different theme each day. “We have taken our concept of ‘every-day-athemed-day’, which was launched
at our 2018 show, and have incorporated this popular feature within Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect,” says Hefer. ” The live webinars will focus on the themes with Safety Day taking centre stage on Monday 7 September, followed by Automation Day, Women in Industry Day, SA and Innovation Day and, on Friday 11 September, Professionals Day. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to promote their products and services through various platforms which includes a daily-themed digital newsletter and the Electra Mining Africa website, providing interested visitor groups with the latest product news and innovations.” Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect is hosted by Specialised Exhibitions, a division of the Montgomery Group and organisers of Southern Africa’s leading mining, manufacturing, automation, electrical and power trade exhibition, Electra Mining Africa.
The next edition of the Electra Mining Africa will be held from 5-9 September 2022 at the Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg, where it will celebrate its forty-eighth year.
