“NO ELECTRICITY, NO VOTE,” SOUTH AFRICANS THREATEN TO SHUN RULING PARTY ANC. (PHOTO)

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 “No electricity, no vote,” South Africans threaten to shun ruling party ANC Residents in Katlehong, a township outside Johannesburg, have resolved to boycott South Africa's upcoming local elections on November 4 due to long-standing failures by authorities to provide basic services like electricity. For over 20 years, around 180 households in the community have relied on illegal electrical connections pulled from neighboring areas to power their homes. Angry over the lack of formal grid infrastructure, residents are directing their frustration at the ruling African National Congress (ANC). "We have made a collective decision: no electricity, no vote," said community leader Lesiba Rankapole, 59. "We know it is illegal, but we had no choice because we cannot live without electricity. Our children cannot progress without electricity." "I was born ANC, but today I do not want anyone to tell me about the ANC because I am suffering," added 57-year-old resid...

SWISS CEMENT MAKER HOLCIM EXITS NIGERIA, SELLS BUSINESS TO CHINESE FIRM. (PHOTO).


 Swiss cement maker Holcim exits Nigeria, sells business to Chinese firm


Swiss cement maker Holcim will exit its Nigerian business through the sale of its nearly 84% stake in Lafarge Africa to China’s Huaxin Cement, it was announced on Sunday.


The sale price is $1 billion for a 100% stake.


The sale aligns with Holcim’s strategy to streamline its portfolio and focus on high-growth regions, including the upcoming spin-off of its North American business, which remains on track for a U.S. listing in the first half of 2025.


The transaction is expected to close in 2025, subject to regulatory approval, according to Holcim’s statement, which did not provide further details on the reason for this specific sale.


In November 2023, Holcim said it had signed deals to sell its businesses in Uganda and Tanzania, further advancing its strategy to consolidate leadership in core markets as the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions.


According to Reuters, The deal marks the latest in a series of African acquisitions by Huaxin Cement. In 2021, Huaxin Cement announced it had agreed to buy two businesses that were part of Lafarge, which merged with Holcim in 2015: a 75% stake in Lafarge Zambia and all of Lafarge Cement Malawi.

Last year, it also announced the purchase of South Africa’s Natal Portland Cement Company.


Holcim has been focusing on sustainable growth in its core markets, higher-margin products, and strategic infrastructure investments. The company is also working to enhance its environmental credentials, having taken a stake in Sublime Systems, a U.S. tech start-up focused on low-carbon cement.


In October, Holcim reported a slightly better-than-expected recurring operating profit of 1.67 billion Swiss francs ($1.90 billion) for the third quarter.

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