| HACKNEYED APPROACHES NO GOOD AT TACKLING FORMAL UNEMPLOYMENT |
| DRIVING FARM AND FORESTRY TRAINING TO NEW HEIGHTS |
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(ltr) Jash Phillips (Tactical L&D Leader), Mhlengi Xaba (FATO NPC NED Board Member), Pamela Naidoo (ED) and Nomfundo Molefe (Tactical L&D Co-ordinator)
Meet FATO (Forestry and Agriculture Training Organisation) that helps businesses to build skills, strengthen compliance and develop future talent, and also a new member of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business.
Based in Mkondeni from where it serves a national clientbase, FATO provides independent training coordination, strategic planning, curriculum development, skills development facilitation, assessments, moderation and policy development for the forestry and agricultural sectors.
FATO is led by Pamela Naidoo, a specialist in designing customised learning and development solutions for businesses. It also offers short courses in business planning, minute writing, conflict resolution and communication. Naidoo says FATO's niche is managing and coordinating complex training programmes for large organisations that outsource their skills development. “We pride ourselves on delivering professional, strategic and future-focused solutions,” she says, “our mission is to help businesses and industries grow sustainably.”
Contact FATO on 082 739 0948 or at pamela@fato.co.za. View the website here.
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| TRAIL-BLAZING COLENSO ART HUB CALLS FOR MANDELA DAY SUPPORT |
The Mindful Art Society is inviting businesses and community members to help transform the historic Bishop Colenso premises into Pietermaritzburg's first dedicated community art centre. The Bishop Colenso Art Hub will provide affordable studio space, galleries and youth arts programmes while nurturing self-taught artists and emerging creative talent. To support the initiative, the Society is hosting a Mandela Day clean-up on 17 July, calling for volunteers to contribute 67 minutes of service, as well as donations of cleaning materials and other essentials. The project aims to create a lasting home for creativity, learning and artistic development in the city. Contact Khetiwe on 064 501 6445 or at info@mindfulartsociety.co.za
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1901: The British Colonial Office appointed the Fawcett Commission to investigate Anglo-Boer War concentration camps in South Africa.
1995: Amazon.com sold its first book: Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies by Douglas Hofstadter.
Spare a thought for the unfairly maligned world of slithery creatures on World Snake Day. |
RISING INFLATION TAKING TOLL ON 79% HOUSEHOLDS, YOUNG CONSUMERS
South African consumers remain under severe financial strain, with 39% expecting to miss at least one bill or loan repayment over the next three months, according to the latest TransUnion Consumer Pulse Survey. Inflation remains the biggest concern for 79% of households, while high interest rates and weak economic growth continue to squeeze disposable incomes.
The survey found many consumers are cutting discretionary spending, delaying major purchases and relying more heavily on credit to meet daily expenses. Younger consumers and lower-income households remain the most financially vulnerable. The findings underscore the ongoing cost-of-living crisis despite easing inflation, with many families struggling to balance rising household expenses against stagnant income growth and elevated borrowing costs. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS START-UP RESCUES 200 000 FROM GOING TO WASTE.
Cape Town-based startup Refreshi has rescued 200 000 meals from landfill since launching its surplus-food marketplace in March 2025, helping consumers save R12.5 million on grocery bills. The app connects shoppers with discounted "Surprise Bags" containing fresh surplus food from supermarkets, bakeries, cafés and restaurants that would otherwise be discarded. Customers buy the bags online and collect them at participating stores before closing time. The platform has expanded from 35 to 700 partner stores, including Spar, Vida e Caffè and Bootlegger, allowing retailers to recover more than R10 million in revenue. Refreshi says the initiative has also prevented 500,000kg of CO₂ emissions, while conserving 120 million litres of water and reducing food waste nationwide. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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EXCESS ROOFTOP SOLAR CAPACITY COULD SAVE R2.9 BILLION
South Africa could reduce electricity costs without building new power stations by allowing municipalities to buy surplus rooftop solar power from households and businesses, according to a new Public Affairs Research Institute (Pari) report. The study estimates Gauteng alone could save R2.5 billion a year by 2035, with Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni accounting for more than half the country's installed rooftop solar capacity. Researchers say thousands of solar systems generate excess electricity that is currently wasted because municipalities lack feed-in tariffs and procurement systems. The report recommends standardised pricing, simpler grid connections and smarter distribution networks to unlock cheaper, cleaner electricity and ease pressure on Eskom. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS ELECTRIC VEHICLES MARK 5% MARKET SHARE-MILESTONE
Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly affordable in South Africa, boosting demand and pushing new-energy vehicle (NEV) market share above 5% for the first time, according to Lightstone. More than half of battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales this year have been priced below R500,000, compared with premium pricing just a few years ago. The number of available BEV and plug-in hybrid models has also grown to more than 50 each. Lightstone says improved affordability, greater model choice and rising fuel costs have driven adoption, with NEVs accounting for more than 6% of new light-vehicle sales in May 2026. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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OUTA REVS UP NEW CHALLENGE AGAINST AARTO
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has launched a fresh legal challenge against the implementation of Phase 2 of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) system, arguing that key legal safeguards for motorists remain absent. Outa contends the government unlawfully rolled out the next phase before establishing the independent appeals tribunal required by the Aarto Act, potentially undermining motorists' rights to fair administrative justice. The organisation says the missing tribunal leaves drivers without an impartial avenue to challenge infringement decisions. The latest court action adds further uncertainty to Aarto's national rollout amid ongoing legal and constitutional disputes. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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GODONGWANA TO DEFEND MUNICIPAL FUNDING FREEZE IN PARLIAMENT
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will appear before Parliament's portfolio committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Friday to defend National Treasury's R13.5 billion funding freeze affecting 69 municipalities. Treasury withheld July equitable share allocations after invoking Section 216 of the Constitution, citing persistent financial mismanagement, unfunded budgets and wasteful expenditure. The Financial and Fiscal Commission has questioned the legality of the move, arguing Parliament should scrutinise the decision. Major metros including Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay are affected. Business Unity South Africa has backed stronger action, warning failing municipalities are undermining service delivery, investment and economic growth. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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DOUBLE BOARD RESIGNATONS ROCK PIC IN FSCA PROBE
Two non-executive directors of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Thabi Nkosi and Nosiphiwo Balfour, have resigned, deepening governance concerns at Africa's largest asset manager. Their departures came hours after the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) launched an investigation into the PIC following whistleblower allegations and the precautionary suspension of chief executive Patrick Dlamini. The PIC manages about R3.7 trillion in assets and holds more than 10% of the JSE's market capitalisation. The FSCA said it is investigating governance, leadership stability, transparency and conduct, warning recent developments could undermine confidence in one of South Africa's most important financial institutions. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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EX-TREASURY OFFICIAL CRACKS NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK NOD
The New Development Bank (NDB) has appointed South African economist Monale Ratsoma as vice-president and chief risk officer, effective 8 July 2026. Ratsoma will oversee risk management, corporate strategy, partnerships and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards at the Shanghai-based Brics bank. He previously served as the NDB's chief financial officer and earlier headed its Africa Regional Centre. Before joining the bank, Ratsoma held senior positions at South Africa's National Treasury, leading economic policy and the country's engagement with the G20, Brics and Sadc. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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LABOUR COURT BARES TEETH IN RACIST WORKPLACE DISMISSAL
The Labour Court in Cape Town has upheld the dismissal of Shaun Williamson, a team leader at Full Circle Contact Centre Services, trading as Capita South Africa, overturning a CCMA ruling that had reinstated him. Acting Judge Cecily-Ann Daniels found Williamson's racist comments, including claims that his dog "Hitler" was trained to bite black people, and remarks comparing black and coloured colleagues, amounted to an assault on employees' dignity. Williamson, who managed about 15 call centre agents, was dismissed in April 2023 after complaints from staff. The court ruled that racism cannot be dismissed as mere "insensitivity" and confirmed that Capita had acted fairly in terminating his employment. (SOURCE: News24)
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HEROTEL, AMAZON LEO TO ROLL OUT SATELLITE INTERNET IN 2027
Internet service provider Herotel has partnered with Amazon Leo to launch a nationwide satellite broadband service aimed at connecting underserved South African communities. The new service, branded evry, is expected to launch commercially in 2027 and will provide high-speed, low-Earth orbit satellite internet to homes and small businesses beyond the reach of fibre and fixed wireless networks. Herotel will install and support the service through its network of 120 offices nationwide. The company currently serves more than 350 000 customers across 550 towns, cities and suburbs, with the partnership expected to expand affordable connectivity to farms, rural communities and remote businesses. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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EBOLA COUNT HITS 2 000 AS SPREAD OUTPACES RESPONSE
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is accelerating rapidly, with confirmed deaths doubling in just over two weeks to 754 and total cases reaching 2,011, prompting the World Health Organisation (WHO) to warn the virus is outpacing response efforts. WHO estimates the true number of infections could be two to four times higher, as 80% of new cases are not linked to known contacts. About 92% of confirmed deaths occurred before patients reached treatment centres, while overcrowded facilities and patients fleeing isolation continue to hamper containment. The outbreak has spread into two new provinces, raising concerns over cross-border transmission, particularly into neighbouring South Sudan. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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2 000MW ANGOLA-DRC TRANISMISSION PROJECT IN JEOPARDY
Global commodities trader Trafigura has withdrawn from a proposed 2 000MW electricity transmission project that aimed to supply surplus hydropower from Angola to copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, according to sources. The company signed a non-binding feasibility agreement with Angola and engineering firm ProMarks in July 2024, but has now reportedly exited the venture. The project formed part of broader efforts to strengthen energy supplies for the region's critical minerals sector. Two alternative transmission projects worth about $1.7 billion (about R28 billion) remain on track, with commercial operations targeted by 2030. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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Dementia in the Family? Here Are Your Legal Options |
A dementia diagnosis affects far more than memory. As mental capacity declines, families are often confronted with difficult legal and financial decisions. Many are surprised to learn that a Power of Attorney may no longer be valid.
Understanding the alternatives can help protect a loved one's affairs before a crisis develops.
Read on for the low-down.
For more information please contact: Austen Smith Inc T: +27 33 392 0500 E: mail@austensmith.co.za Website: www.austensmith.co.za |
TRAINING - HOW TO NETWORK YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS - RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Join this vibrant, high-energy workshop designed to help you become a more confident and effective personal networker - while genuinely enjoying the experience.
TRAINER: Brenda Eckstein – Brenda Eckstein International
OVERVIEW
Please note: This workshop focuses on building meaningful relationships through face-to-face interaction and does not cover social media.
Why does cultivating positive relationships matter? Strong connections open the door to valuable opportunities for both business and personal growth. Yet, in today's world where South Africa ranks among the highest globally in screen-time, many people experience increased isolation and reduced social engagement. As a result, stepping out and connecting with others can feel challenging.
This workshop is here to change that. Discover how to engage with others authentically, build confidence, and create positive, rewarding interactions that leave you energised and inspired.
Outcomes: As a result of attending this workshop, you'll be able to:
• Introduce yourself in a way that leads to conversation.
• Practice simple techniques for building conversation.
• Learn how to be assertive yet maintain relationships.
• Plot your network.
• Strategize building stronger relationships with stakeholders.
• Compare the strengths and importance of various relationships.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This workshop is aimed at individuals in leadership or management positions and anyone who'd like to enhance their work and private lives through building positive relationships.
Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.
DETAILS OF THE TRAINING
Date: 23 July 2026
Time: 08:30 – 12:30
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (excludes vat) PMCB Members: R680 p/p, R645 p/p for 3/more, R595 p/p for 5/more. Non-members: R900 p/p, R885 p/p for 3/more, R850 p/p for 5/more
Please note: The company will be liable for payment unless CANCELLATION is received in writing 24 hours prior to the event. |
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One very important aspect of motivation is the willingness to stop and to look at things that no one else has bothered to look at. This simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful source of creativity.
Edward de Bono |
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