Johannesburg faces looming water crisis; experts warn of impending national scarcity by 2030
Daily Maverick picks up the water story, outlining the challenges facing Johannesburg and the urgent need for action. The private sector can make a significant contribution, via Public-Private Partnerships, such as Mergence Investment Managers has done with SA Water Works, successfully managing the only two private water concessions in South Africa. Kasief Isaacs, Head: Private […]
Undercurrents – SA’s water infrastructure is crumbling fast. Can it be fixed?
In the annual Business Day “Earth” publication, various critical environmental issues are addressed, including water in South Africa. Pointing to a potential holistic, long-term solution, Kasief Isaacs, Head: Private Markets at Mergence Investment Managers, discusses Mergence’s investment in two private water concessions via a Public Private Partnership, which have had a remarkable impact both on […]
Water mafias on the rise: the collapse of municipal governance and its consequences
Following an article on Moneyweb on the “water mafia” in SA, Kasief Isaacs, Head: Private Markets at Mergence Investment Managers, spoke to Africa Melane on the Cape Talk Early Breakfast show on this worrying trend. He explained that municipalities need to supplement water provision and this is the gap where criminal elements step in, damaging […]
The water mafias are taking over
The dire water situation in SA is being exacerbated by the “water mafia” with criminal gangs destroying municipal infrastructure so they can sell water at extortionate rates. Government urgently needs to intervene. Kasief Isaacs, Head: Private Markets at Mergence Investment Managers, comments on the situation, providing some not-readily available statistics: A local reticulation network typically […]
Privaatwater skitter in vergelyking met wat munisipaliteite lewer
In this interview in Afrikaans on RSG Geldsake, Kasief Isaacs, Head: Private Markets at Mergence Investment Managers, chats to presenter Tinus de Jager about Mergence’s private market investments in private water concessions and how this model could be replicated across other municipalities as a workable solution for the water crisis in SA.
Privately-run water companies come to the rescue
Mergence is invested in the only two private water concessions in SA, via a public private partnership, with a majority share in SA Water Works which runs Siza and Silulumanzi. The impact has been significant in terms of seamless water supply to communities and reduced water leakage. Kasief Isaacs, Head: Private Markets at Mergence Investment […]
Municipal debt of R21bn a threat to water boards’ viability
Business Day reports that South Africa’s 15 water boards, which manage water infrastructure, are owed R21.3 billion by municipalities. This debt threatens the sector’s viability, as non-payment hampers the boards’ ability to maintain and operate their systems. The government plans to address this issue through an inter-ministerial effort. Kasief Isaacs, head of private markets at […]
SA funds have only 2% invested in infrastructure
Institutional investors are allocating only around 2% to the infrastructure asset class, despite Regulation 28 effectively allowing for a maximum infrastructure investment exposure equivalent to as much as 45% of fund assets. This can be achieved by a 15% fund exposure to unlisted infrastructure through infrastructure private equity funds; a 15% exposure to unlisted infrastructure […]
Mergence sees opportunity in infrastructure
How does one broaden the scope of infrastructure into portfolios given liquidity constraints and a limited universe in public markets? Private market investments are the best route for now, explains Kasief Isaacs, Head: Private Markets at Mergence Investment Managers.
Business Day TV: Social impact bonds fill the gap
Kasief Isaacs, Portfolio Manager Unlisted Investments (SADC) at Mergence, chats on Business Day TV about the Tshwane Free WiFi project and how it could form a model for social impact bonds.
Business Day TV: Impact investments alleviate infrastructure shortfall
Kasief Isaacs, Portfolio Manager: Unlisted Investments (SADC) at Mergence, spoke to Stephen Gunnion about impact investing for boosting infrastructure development.
