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competition policy economic policy Featured public policy

Call for papers on economic regulation, competition and regional development

CALL FOR PAPERS: 4th ANNUAL COMPETITION AND ECONOMIC REGULATION (ACER) WEEK, SOUTHERN AFRICA, CONFERENCE 19 & 20 July 2018, Johannesburg, South Africa

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa, the Competition Commission South Africa and the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development are honoured to host the 4th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Week, Southern Africa. ACER provides a valuable platform for competition authorities and regulators to share knowledge, keep abreast of key developments across the region, and build networks for collaboration between agencies. ACER week combines targeted courses on 16-18 July 2018, running concurrently, and the conference on 19 & 20 July 2018.

The conference seeks to address issues of direct interest to competition authorities, economic regulators and industrial policy practitioners in Southern Africa.

Abstracts for proposed conference papers are invited on issues of economic regulation, competition and regional development. While there is a focus on Southern Africa, papers are welcome on these issues with reference to other jurisdictions. The papers will be selected from the abstracts submitted.

Papers are especially invited which fall within the following key themes:

  • Industrial development, structural transformation and creating more competitive markets
  • The opening-up of local and regional markets – experiences in renewable energy and gas markets
  • Cost allocation regarding cross-border energy infrastructure
  • Contemporary regulatory challenges for telecoms, and transition to smart cities and a digital economy
  • Assessing prudency in asset procurement and operational expenditure, and the impact on tariffs
  • Competing on whose merits? A new competition policy agenda to tackle inequality, concentration and participation
  • Competition and regional integration: developing institutions and an effective regime for assessing regional mergers and prosecuting cross-border cartels
  • Market inquiries – realistic or overloaded expectations?
  • 20 years of the South African Competition Act – critical reflections

Abstracts should be no more than 250 words. Abstracts may be submitted to infoccred@uj.ac.za on or before 2 April 2018. Acceptance of papers will be communicated by 13 April 2018. Final papers must be submitted by 29 June 2018.

For more information, please visit CCRED website: https://www.competition.org.za/acerweek2018/

Queries can be directed to Lauralyn Kaziboni. Tel: +27 11 559 7516. E-mail: lauralynk@uj.ac.za

Author: CCRED

Categories
competition policy Featured

Netcare acquires mental health group, with conditions

The Competition Tribunal has approved the merger of Netcare Group and mental health care provider Akeso Group subject to conditions relating to pricing and divestiture by Netcare of its Rand Hospital and Bell Street Hospitals to address concerns raised by the Competition Commission.

Both parties are active in the provision of private healthcare in South Africa with an overlap in mental healthcare. The primary acquiring firm, Netcare, operates a private hospital network in South Africa and the United Kingdom and has licenses for psychiatric beds in its acute hospitals. Target firm Akeso is a group of in-patient clinics that provide individual, integrated and family orientated treatment for a range of mental health, psychological and addictive conditions. The Akeso Group’s mental health hospitals are located throughout South Africa.

In terms of the conditional approval:
Netcare shall maintain the base tariff currently implemented at Akeso facilities as agreed to between Akeso and various medical aid schemes;
Netcare will not seek to alter the tariff classifications used at Akeso facilities for any existing treatment modalities;
Netcare will honour Akeso’s existing contractual agreements with medical aid schemes with regard to ARMs (Alternative reimbursement models);

The post transaction annual tariff increases for fee-for-service reimbursement at Akeso will be tied to the tariff increase negotiated by Netcare with medical aid schemes in respect of its acute hospitals.

Netcare will dispose of Rand Hospital and Bell Street Hospital which both presently have psychiatric health beds to a purchaser which is able to prove to the Commission that it has the requisite resources and incentive to develop the hospitals as a viable and active competitive forces in competition with Netcare and other competitors.

The Competition Commission had initially recommended to the Tribunal that the merger be prohibited concluding that the deal was likely to cause a substantial lessening of competition. The Commission said the merger would result in significant combined market shares in the provision of mental healthcare services in a local market in Gauteng, with the merged entity likely to exercise market power.

In response to questions raised by the Tribunal, the merging parties tendered further conditions to the merger which the Commission accepted would adequately address the concerns raised. The Commission thus reversed its recommendation from prohibition to approval subject to conditions.

The Tribunal will give its reasons for its decision in due course.

Find the order and conditions here.

Author: Competition Tribunal

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Featured Opportunities

The Bag Factory is looking for a programme manager

The Bag Factory is looking for a Programme Manager with curatorial experience and knowledge to support the delivery of Bag Factory’s creative programming.

Job Description:
Reporting to the Director and working closely with Bag Factory artists, staff and the community, the Programme Manager is responsible for developing an overarching concept and managing the delivery of programming at the Bag Factory.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities:
• Develop and create exciting, inspiring visual art programmes.
• To develop and oversee the implementation of visual art programmes
• To accurately manage and report on associated programme funding.
• To monitor and control the application process, selection and participation of visiting artists and their involvement in the programmes with      the community and the Bag Factory.
• To drive the identification, attraction and selection of high-quality artists to the Bag Factory
• To ensure programmes are appropriate, implemented within budget and the timelines set out by the funders and funds are available for their successful implementation.
• To work with the selection committee in the selection and approval of the residency programmes and the artists selected.
• To liaise with gallery visitors and guests
• To support the Director with fundraising strategies and events for the sustainability of the Bag Factory, especially those linked to programming.
• To prepare written progress reports on the implementation of programmes and their successful execution with the aim of using these to report to the Board and the relevant funders.
• To research potential funding sources for future arts programming
• To communicate with applicants and keep a record of applications
• To oversee the maintenance of artists’ alumni records and relations.
• To manage operations and technical production of exhibitions taking place in the Bag Factory gallery space as well as off-site.

Who we’re looking for:
To be successful in this role, it would be ideal for you to have the following skills and education:
• A relevant degree or equivalent experience in contemporary art related field.
• Good working knowledge of contemporary art practice
• Proficiency and experience in appropriate computer packages, i.e. MS Packages, Excel, Database management programmes and Design programmes
• Understanding of Business principles
• Experience in information and communication management
• Experience in writing fundraising proposals and budget management
• Proven experience in the organisation of contemporary art projects and interpretive programmes
• Exceptional knowledge of the local and national contemporary art landscape is a must
• Able to work flexible hours during events with evenings and weekends as needed
• To oversee programmes and participate in other gallery activities.

Key Competencies:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent project planning skills and effective, efficient time management and organisational skills
• Proactive with the ability and confidence to use initiative
• High attention to detail and ability to think creatively
• Good interpersonal skills
• Reliable and works well with a wide range of people
• The ability to respond positively to pressure and take a flexible approach to change
• To be well organised and methodical, with the ability to manage workload and priorities autonomously
• Highly development presentation skills
• To be professional
• Diplomacy and advocacy
• To have a curious, globally minded and enthusiastic nature.

TO APPLY please send the following documents to thuli@bagfactoryart.org.za:

• CV, including references that can attest your curatorial and or programme management knowledge
• Copy of your ID
• A one-page motivation letter

INCOMPLETE AND LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

DEADLINE for submissions is 22 March 2018

Author: The Bag Factory

Categories
entrepreneurship Featured

SAVCA launches industry awards

The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA), as part of the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebration, has announced the launch of the inaugural SAVCA Industry Awards. These annual sector accolades will recognise portfolio companies that have thrived from private equity and venture capital investment in the region.

All investee companies (headquartered in Southern Africa) currently benefitting from these types of investments, or that have had investors exit within the last 12 months, are eligible for consideration by the judging panel. Judges will comprise business leaders and captains of industry, with the awards being supported and sponsored by Investec Corporate and Institutional Banking.

“With an increased government focus on small business as a contributor to overall GDP and employment growth, these awards will serve to highlight the achievements of portfolio companies as they relate to innovation; environmental and social impacts; profit and investor returns; job creation and reputation,” says Tanya van Lill, SAVCA CEO.

The categories include:
Small Companies – seed/early stage growth investments with an enterprise value of under R50m and revenue of under R200m.
Medium-sized Companies – expansion stage investments with an enterprise value of R50m to R1bn and revenue of R200m to R2bn.
Large Companies – with an enterprise value of more than R1bn and revenue of above R2bn per annum.
Chairman’s Award – recognising exemplary work within the sector, awarded at the judges’ discretion.

“We are delighted to be associated with the very first SAVCA Industry Awards as lead sponsor,” says Lourens van Rensburg, Head of Investec Corporate and Institutional Banking. “We are especially proud to be part of an event that recognises the exceptional performance of portfolio companies in the sector, as well as their contribution to society and Southern Africa as a whole.”

Adds van Lill, “We are looking for businesses that stand out amongst their peers; demonstrating skilled execution of particular projects as well as evidence of bold and authentic leadership. The positive impact that private equity/venture capital has had on the business also needs to be reflected – this includes mentorship, strategic advice, governance and new market access.”

Private equity and venture capital investors can nominate investee companies or these businesses can nominate themselves by submitting an entry form via the SAVCA Awards website. Judges will select a shortlist of finalists across the outlined categories who will be assessed and interviewed. These findings will be presented to the judging panel, with the process culminating in winners being announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony at Monte Casino in November 2018.

Nominations for the awards close on the 15th April 2018.

Author: SAVCA

Categories
Featured leadership

Len Konar steps down from Lonmin

Lonmin announced that Dr Len Konar, who has been a non-Executive Director of the Company since 2010, has decided to retire from the Lonmin Board with effect from 14 March 2018 and will be pursuing an international opportunity.

Lonmin’s Chairman, Brian Beamish, said ‘On behalf of my colleagues on the Board, I would like to
thank Len for his contribution and commitment to the Board and the Company during his eight years
at Lonmin. The Board would like to wish Len every success for the future.’

As a consequence, Resolution 9 relating to the re-election of Dr Konar that was to be considered at
the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 15 March 2018 will be withdrawn. The withdrawal of this
item of business does not affect the validity of the proxy form or any proxy votes that have already
been made in respect of other Resolutions.

Author: Lonmin/SENS

Image Source: Business Day