| BEWARE THE BURNOUT BOGEY BURNING A HOLE IN YOUR POCKET |
Burnout isn't just exhausting, it's also expensive. New South African research shows high-burnout employees rack up nearly double the medical aid costs of their less-frazzled colleagues, R2 737 more per person over six months. With tomorrow's public holiday offering a rare pause from the grind, it's worth asking whether that day off is doing more for your wallet than you think. Here's the link. |
| KZN LEAN CONFERENCE MATCH THINKING WITH ACTIONS |
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Mark Graban (second left) shares a light moment with Niel Nel (L&J Tools), with Janet Channing (Metgovis) and Esther Mphahlele (QMS Solutions) looking on. See more pictures here.
The 2026 KZN Lean Conference brought together around 70 delegates at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business for two days of practical learning, fresh ideas and valuable networking. Keynote speaker and internationally-recognised Lean thinker Mark Graban shared insights into building better processes, reducing waste and creating cultures of continuous improvement. The conference combined expert presentations with interactive sessions and hands-on workshops, giving delegates opportunities to move beyond theory and explore how Lean principles can be applied in their own organisations.
Local practitioners and business leaders added valuable perspectives, while the collaborative format encouraged delegates to exchange experiences, challenges and solutions. The conference reinforced Lean as a practical approach to improving efficiency, quality and customer value and was made possible by the sponsorship of FNB and supported by TIKZN, SLG and Training Leadership Consulting.
Click here for more photographs of the event.
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| BRINGING WORLD-CLASS SMME FUNDING TO THE TABLE |
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Tysys Capital Group General Manager Volenté Morais.
Please join us in welcoming Tysys Capital Group (TCG) to the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. Based in Sandton, TCG is a niche financial services group delivering expert corporate and development finance solutions across most sectors of the economy, with specialist services spanning SMME fund management, consultancy, lending, corporate finance, wealth management, and skills development training and mentorship.
Clients deal directly with senior staff, all seasoned implementation partners with deep financing expertise, says General Manager Volenté Morais. "Tysys prides itself on its profound economic transformation impact, having extended over R1 billion in total funding to SMEs," says Morais.
The company's funding-facilitation track record includes R512 million in loan funding and R146.61 million in grant funding to black women- and youth-owned SMEs. "We look forward to collaborating with, and sharing this world-class expertise among, fellow PMCB members," says Morais.
Contact Tysys Capital Group: on (011) 442 5605 or at info@tcapitalgroup.co.za. View the website here. |
1983: Gerrie Coetzee became the first South African boxer to win a world heavyweight title.
Elsewhere, in 1845, astronomer Johann Galle became the first person to observe the planet Neptune.
It's International Day of Sign Languages.
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GAMBLING PRESSURE PUTS STOKVELS, RETIREMENT SAVINGS AT RISK
More than half of South Africa’s stokvel members gambled at least once in the past year, highlighting how financial pressure can undermine even disciplined saving habits. The 2026 Township Customer Experience Report found that 55% of stokvel members had gambled, compared with 50% of respondents overall.
Financial inclusion specialist Palesa Lengolo said financial literacy should address managing pressure and risky behaviour, not just spending. Retirement-fund providers have also warned that high gambling rates threaten long-term financial security. Experts are calling for stronger financial education and banking products designed specifically for stokvels, which serve millions of South Africans. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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UNFAIR DISMISSALS LEAD CCMA REFERRALS AS RETRENCHMENTS SURGE
CCMA referrals rose by about 4 500 to 193 069 in 2024/25, with unfair dismissals accounting for over half. Employers are increasingly retrenching workers amid a low-growth economy, contributing to unemployment of 33.6%, with 345 000 more people jobless in Q2 2026. From 2020/21 to 2024/25, there were 32 312 retrenchments against 30 581 jobs saved, mining leading with 12 270 saved. Labour analyst Michael Bagraim said companies are avoiding the stringent retrenchment process, instead finding excuses to dismiss staff without following proper procedures, reflecting a tightening economy and shrinking trade unions. (Source: BDLive) |
'UNREALISTIC' 3.8% HEALTCARE CONTRIBUTION UNDER FIRE
The Board of Healthcare Funders has pushed back against the Council for Medical Schemes' 2027 contribution increase guidance, calling the 3.8% target unrealistic. Achieving that figure would require extensive reforms to reduce healthcare costs, the BHF said. The BHF represents schemes covering roughly half of South Africa's nine-million medical scheme beneficiaries and told the CMS it had failed to account for soaring healthcare costs. This follows sustained political pressure from unions opposing GEMS' 2026 contribution increases, and comes as another union federation threatens protest action over rising medical aid costs. (Source: BDLive) |
RESERVE BANK INDICATOR FALLS SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH
The Reserve Bank's leading business cycle indicator fell for a second consecutive month in July, dropping 0.9% as weakness in six of 10 components outweighed gains in the other four. The biggest drags were slower money supply growth and fewer residential building plans approved, alongside falling commodity export prices, manufacturing orders, vehicle sales and business confidence. Investec's Annabel Bishop linked the decline to the Middle East oil price shock suppressing manufacturing orders. Positive contributors included faster growth in job advertisements, a wider bond-Treasury bill interest rate spread, longer factory working hours, and stronger trading-partner indicators. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
TWO-WAY TUSSLE TO HOST FORMULA 1 IN SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s bid to bring Formula One racing back to the continent is gathering pace, with two competing proposals now in the running. A consortium led by former Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman is working with Rothschild & Co on a proposed R6.7-billion motorsport complex in the Swartland north of Cape Town. The development would include a Formula One-compliant circuit costing about R2 billion, plus hospitality, exhibition and residential facilities. Meanwhile, businessman Toby Venter is pursuing a return to Kyalami in Johannesburg, where upgrades are planned to secure FIA accreditation. The proposals face Formula One’s approval process and government requirements. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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GOVERNMENT OPENS WAY FOR PRIVATE FMD VACCINES
Agriculture minister Willie Aucamp has opened the way for private companies to manufacture the Agricultural Research Council's foot-and-mouth disease vaccine at scale, addressing production constraints during South Africa's worst FMD outbreak. The ARC board unanimously approved the proposal on Monday, allowing qualifying local and international firms to use the council's intellectual property under conditional licensing agreements, while the ARC rebuilds its own capacity. The move comes as the country runs a mass vaccination drive following outbreaks in all nine provinces. By September, more than 23-million doses had been imported, and all 1.38-million commercial dairy cattle had received their first dose. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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STEENHUISEN ON A MISSION TO BOOST MACADAMIA EXPORTS
Deputy Trade Minister John Steenhuisen has called for reduced tariff barriers, new markets and improved logistics to support South Africa's macadamia industry, which accounts for roughly 38% of global export value with 98% of production exported. Speaking at a SAMAC event in Umhlanga, he flagged India's tariffs as a concern and said exporters must compete on quality rather than seek special treatment. Nuts in shell go mainly to China and East Asia, kernels to North America and Europe. Steenhuisen also urged more local processing, such as macadamia oil, and highlighted Durban port's public-private partnership as key to improving logistics. (SOURCE: FreightNews) |
KOKSTAD ADVERTISER SURFS DIGITAL WAVE, FROM 0 TO 354 000 READERS
The 144-year-old Kokstad Advertiser is showing how traditional community newspapers can build powerful digital audiences. Starting 2026 with no digital presence, the KZN title reached up to 354 000 people a month by March and grew its online following beyond 32 000. It is among 21 independent newsrooms sharing R10.5 million through the Digital News Transformation Fund. In six months, 10 publishers launched their first digital platforms, producing more than 300 stories, while 65 journalists and media staff received digital training. A second funding round has added 22 publishers, backed by a further R15.8 million. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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OIL RISES AS MIDDLE EAST SUPPLY RISKS PERSIST
Oil prices rose after four consecutive declines as traders weighed Middle East supply disruptions against diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran war. Brent climbed towards $102 a barrel, while WTI approached $97. Supply risks remain acute, with a tanker reportedly struck in the Strait of Hormuz and Libya’s largest oilfield cutting production by more than half after a pipeline shutdown. Oil has gained almost 70% this year as conflicts disrupt shipments and energy infrastructure. Rising fuel costs have also intensified inflation, prompting central banks to maintain pressure on interest rates despite hopes that diplomatic talks could ease tensions. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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BITCOIN RETREATS AFTER HEADY 13% RALLY IN 4 DAYS
Bitcoin slipped from an eight-month high after surging more than 13% in four days, with the cryptocurrency retreating to about $85 500 in Asian trading. The rally followed a broader rebound in risk assets, helped by inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs, renewed buying and improved sentiment around digital assets. However, analysts warned the gains could reflect short-covering and broader market liquidity rather than stronger fundamentals. More than $1 billion in crypto positions were liquidated over 24 hours, mostly short bets. Elevated US Treasury yields and oil prices near $100 a barrel remain potential headwinds. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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CHATGPT FACES LAW SUIT OVER MASS SHOOTING FAILURES
Canadian state British Columbia has sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in a San Francisco federal court, alleging a mass shooting at a Tumbler Ridge school could have been prevented had the company warned local law enforcement that the shooter used ChatGPT to plan the attack. Nine people were killed. OpenAI's safety team reportedly pushed to alert police about the shooter's concerning conversations but were overruled by senior leaders. The province is seeking damages to cover recovery costs and a court order requiring OpenAI to overhaul how it detects and responds to conversations involving threats of violence. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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TRAINING - THE HIGH PERFORMING TEAM
In today's workplace, effective teamwork can be the difference between a business that struggles and one that thrives, perform and grows.
TRAINER: Dirk Calitz – Outdoor Educators
OVERVIEW
THE HIGH-PERFORMING TEAM is an engaging, practical team-building workshop designed to inspire, equip, and guide participants with team-building principles, values, and tools that can be applied in the workplace. It will help organisations unlock the potential within their people and build motivated, productive and high-performing teams that deliver results.
KEY OUTCOMES AND DISCUSSION POINTS
Participants will explore:
• A deeper understanding of the real value and power of teamwork
• How to build a positive, high-performance team culture
• Moving from unhealthy and dysfunctional to inspired and engaged (the need for positive change)
• Awareness of the impact of emotional wellness, positivity and attitude on the team
• Building blocks, key values and principles to build positive, motivated, and energised teams
• Tools to strengthen communication, trust and interpersonal relationships
• The inspired team player and leader-the role of leadership in driving change
• Ignite the fire within!
GREAT TEAMS DON'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT. THEY ARE BUILT. BUILD THE TEAM. STRENGTHEN THE CULTURE. IGNITE PERFORMANCE.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Business owners, leaders, managers, HR professionals, team leaders and team members with a keen interest in building high-performing teams. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.
DETAILS OF THE TRAINING
Date: 30 September 2026
Time: 08:30 – 16:30
Venue: PMCB Office, 1 Parkhaven, 55 MacLeroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (excludes vat ) includes lunch PMCB Members: R1 430 p/p, R1 390 p/p for 3/more, R1 320 p/p for 5/more Non-members: R1 695 p/p, R1 640 p/p for 3/more, R1 590 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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Empathy is the most radical of human emotions.
Gloria Steinem |
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