WHEN Tomotex, one of South Africas premier textile and apparel manufacturers, needed a reliable, efficient, and cost-saving boiler solution, they turned to industry leaders, Combustion Technology. The result? A seamless boiler and burner upgrade that has already delivered fuel savings exceeding 30%, along with significant improvements in plant safety, reliability, and operational control.

A trusted name in textiles
Operating since 1999, Tomotex supplies high-quality fabrics and apparel to retailers nationwide, specialising in sustainable and ethically sourced materials. Their commitment to eco-friendly production and operational efficiency is matched by their need for reliable, energy-conscious infrastructure to maintain competitive pricing and quality output.

However, the companys existing boiler system had become a growing concern. The ageing 10T boiler was riddled with persistent leaks, high maintenance demands, and no modern control or modulation capabilities – a dangerous, costly, and inefficient setup threatening both safety and productivity.

The challenge: Safety risks and soaring costs
With growing risks of downtime and safety incidents – and excessive fuel consumption pushing operational costs sky-high – Tomotex management made the strategic decision to invest in a full boiler system upgrade. After an extensive review process, Combustion Technology was appointed to deliver the solution, thanks to its nearly 40 years of expertise, comprehensive end-to-end service, and cutting-edge combustion solutions.

The solution: Tailored engineering excellence
The project, awarded in January 2025, involved a complete removal of the old, leaking boiler system and the installation of a state-of-the-art Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) boiler and burner system.

The key components included:

I.VAR BHP 4000 Steam Boiler – providing robust, reliable, and efficient steam generation tailored to Tomotexs process demands.

Limpsfield LCHO 30 Dual Fuel Burner – delivering exceptional combustion efficiency, reduced emissions, and flexible fuel capability.

Autoflame MK8 MM Boiler Management System – offering 24/7 monitoring, real-time combustion tuning, fault detection, and performance analytics.

Custom-Built Control Panel with Vortex Cooler – designed for high-temperature environments, ensuring system longevity and reliability.

Through expert system design, precise installation, and rigorous commissioning, Combustion Technology ensured the new solution delivered on every goal: improved safety, energy efficiency, control accuracy, and environmental compliance.

As South Africa celebrates Youth Month 2025 under the theme "Skills for the changing world: Empowering youth for meaningful economic participation", a powerful story combining scientific innovation and cultural heritage is emerging. At the heart of this narrative is Dr Taskeen Docrat, a young researcher whose groundbreaking work is exploring the potential of rooibos tea in combating Alzheimers disease.

A natural solution to a global challenge
Alzheimers disease remains one of the most pressing health challenges globally, affecting millions and placing immense emotional and financial strain on families. Current treatments offer limited relief and often come with significant side effects. This has led scientists to explore alternative, natural therapies and rooibos tea, a proudly South African product, is showing promising potential.

Rooibos, derived from the Aspalathus linearis plant, is already celebrated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally used to aid digestion, reduce stress, and support heart health, rooibos is now being studied for its neuroprotective effects.

The science behind the brew
Dr Docrats research, supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the South African Rooibos Council (SARC), examines how rooibos extracts interact with amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides – the proteins that clump together in the brains of Alzheimers patients, forming plaques that impair cognitive function.

"We are investigating whether rooibos can help protect against these damaging effects," says Dr. Docrat. "This is exciting given the pressing need for effective prevention strategies for Alzheimers."

Her research also highlights rooiboss ability to combat oxidative stress, a major contributor to brain cell damage. By neutralising harmful free radicals and supporting mitochondrial health, rooibos may help preserve brain function. Additionally, early findings suggest that rooibos could influence genes linked to neurodegenerative diseases, potentially slowing their progression.

The power of youth, innovation and indigenous knowledge
This research is more than a scientific breakthrough – its a celebration of youth-led innovation and the power of indigenous knowledge systems. Rooibos, a product deeply rooted in South African culture, is being elevated through cutting-edge science to address a global health crisis.

As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, Dr Docrats work stands as a testament to what young minds can achieve when supported by robust scientific infrastructure and a commitment to innovation. Her research not only advances our understanding of Alzheimers but also showcases how local resources can have a global impact. Last year, Dr Docrat was awarded the Distinguished Young Women Researcher: Natural and Engineering Sciences Award at the South African Women in Science Awards.

Looking ahead
With continued support from institutions like DSTI and SARC, rooibos could become a key player in the development of natural, accessible therapies for Alzheimers disease. As young scientists like Dr Docrat lead the charge, South Africa is poised to make significant contributions to global health, one cup of homegrown tea at a time.

Gauteng MEC for Health Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko has called on the public to end all forms of inequalities that hinder access to HIV, TB and STI-related treatment, care, and support.

Addressing this year's, World Aids Day MEC Ralehoko commended the role government has played in ensuring that 96% of people living with HIV/Aids know their status and are receiving the necessary support to fight the disease.

"The province has seen a steady increase in the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) as the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses has also declined. Currently, there are 1.81 million people living with HIV.

She further thanked and called on civil society organisations to continue to play their part in ensuring that government achieves the ambitious targets set in the Gauteng Provincial Implementation Plan (PIP) on HIV, TB and STIs (2023-2028).

She said there is also a need for strengthened governance structures, that is, functional AIDS Councils at all levels, provincial, district and local levels.

"We need strong collaboration and partnership between all spheres of government, civil society sectors, and the private sector.

"Strong AIDS Councils lead to strengthened HIV, TB & STI partnership and collaboration efforts for improved service delivery to our communities."

The MEC said the province has seen a decrease in new HIV/Aids infections, but new infections remain high, and the pace of reduction is very slow.

"If we continue at the current pace, we will most likely not meet our National Strategic Plan or Gauteng Provincial Implementation Plan targets."

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) survey findings show that social and structural drivers such as multiple and concurrent partnerships, low condom usage, high early sexual debut among young people and gender-based violence remain some of our challenges.

Nkomo Ralehoko said government has endorsed the Gauteng Provincial Implementation Plan (PIP) on HIV, TB & STIs (2023-2028), which is a roadmap towards addressing the challenges related to retention to care for HIV and TB clients as well as social and structural drivers identified in the HSRC survey 2022.

She further urged the public to continue to forge strong partnerships for improved access to HIV, TB & STI services, especially among the key and priority population within our Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH) areas.

"Let us continue to pull out all the stops in our determination to strive for a HIV free generation. Working together as partners, we can do more to translate this dream into reality."

At a United Nations Security Council emergency session in New York on 6 January 2026, South Africa took a strong diplomatic stance on international security, condemning the recent unilateral military action by the United States against Venezuela and urging the global body to uphold the principles of peace, sovereignty and the UN Charter. Speaking on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative Jonathan Passmoor articulated Pretoria's deep concern that such military intervention undermines the bedrock of international law and threatens global stability. In his address to the 15-member council, Passmoor stressed that sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence are core tenets of the United Nations framework, which prohibits the use of force except in narrowly defined circumstances. He emphasised that allegations of criminality or internal governance issues do not justify cross-border military action without lawful backing and warned that permitting such actions to go unchecked could erode confidence in the rules-based international order that protects smaller and developing states. South Africa's statement reflected a broader call for restraint, respect for international norms and peaceful conflict resolution, urging the Security Council to lead in addressing the crisis through constructive diplomacy. The government reiterated its belief that sustainable peace is grounded in dialogue and cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to the UN's mission of international peace and security.