| MUNICIPAL STRIKE TODAY TO DISRUPT TRAFFIC, BUSINESS |
Residents and businesses in Pietermaritzburg are advised of expected major traffic disruptions due to a municipal workers’ strike today. Workers associated with the South African Municipal Union and other municipal employees are assembling at Chief Albert Luthuli Street in the CBD from 7 am. Motorists should expect severe congestion, temporary road closures, and traffic diversions in and around the city centre. Delays to public transport, deliveries, and business operations are likely throughout the day.
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| LEVELING UP EXCEL SKILLS TO BOOST ORGANISATIONAL EFFICIENCY |
Participants at the Excel Intermediate - Level 2 course facilitated by Nomcebo Shabalala (back) of the IT Certification Academy. Picture by Lethiwe Zondi.
Participants benefitted from an outcome-based Excel training session at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business on Tuesday. Nomcebo Shabalala of the IT Certification Academy guided participants through the the Excel Intermediate - Level 2 programme to strengthen advanced workbook creation and data analysis skills. The course covered working with functions, lists, data analysis, visualisation, PivotTables and PivotCharts to enhance organisational intelligence and decision-making capability. The training reinforced workplace readiness and enhanced Excel competency for effective analysis and reporting to support informed decisions across organisational environments.
Click here for the 2026 business skills programme. |
| REMINDER: WELLNESS SERIES TO SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS |
| Entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to a six-part Business Owner Wellness Programme hosted by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business starting tomorrow. The workshop series focuses on personal resilience, emotional intelligence, self-leadership, stress management, self-awareness and effective time management. Under the theme Leading Yourself First, the programme aims to strengthen mindset, wellbeing and resilience, helping business owners navigate challenges and build sustainable long-term success. Sessions run through to 21 August. Contact Thobeka Khambule on (033) 345 2747 or at marketing@pmcb.org.za. |
2010: 19th World Cup football tournament opened in South Africa, the first time that the event was played on the African continent.
Elsewhere, in 1978, Steven Spielberg's blockbuster E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial was released.
For fun, it’s International Yarn Bombing Day. |
POLICE CORRUPTION THREATENS TO UNDO GREYLIST SUCCESS
Fresh revelations of corruption within South Africa’s law-enforcement agencies could undermine the country’s efforts to avoid future financial monitoring sanctions, Parliament has heard.
National Treasury acting director-general Ismail Momoniat warned MPs that weaknesses in policing and criminal prosecutions remain the biggest risks to maintaining compliance with international anti-money-laundering standards. South Africa exited the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist in 2025 after addressing key deficiencies, but faces a more rigorous evaluation in 2027.
Treasury is racing to implement further reforms, strengthen investigative capacity and improve convictions for complex financial crimes. Officials cautioned that continued corruption and ineffective enforcement could jeopardise progress and damage investor confidence, financial stability and the country’s international reputation. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS RESERVE BANK FLAGS RAFT OF FINANCIAL RISKS
The South African Reserve Bank has warned that the country’s financial system has become more vulnerable following the outbreak of conflict between the US and Iran. In its latest financial stability review, the central bank highlighted increased risks from volatile capital flows, higher energy prices and heightened global uncertainty. The report noted that non-resident investors have been reducing exposure to South African assets, raising concerns about market stability and funding conditions. Escalating geopolitical tensions could place further pressure on the rand, inflation and economic growth. The Reserve Bank said financial institutions remain resilient but urged vigilance as global shocks continue to test emerging-market economies. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
IT'S OPEN SEASON FOR SCAMSTERS BEFUDDLING TAX PAYERS
As South Africa’s tax season approaches, scammers are increasing fraudulent messages impersonating the South African Revenue Service (South African Revenue Service), targeting taxpayers with fake refunds, settlement demands and compliance alerts. Fraud experts warn that phishing attempts are becoming more convincing, using official-sounding language, urgent deadlines and fake links that closely resemble legitimate SARS communication. Common scams include fake refund notices, bogus debt demands and fraudulent auto-assessment messages designed to steal personal and banking details. SARS has urged taxpayers to avoid clicking links and instead log directly into its official website to verify information. (SOURCE: Daily Maverick)
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MANTASHE WANTS 60-DAY FUEL-RESERVE BUFFER
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe wants South Africa to maintain strategic fuel reserves equivalent to 60 days of consumption to protect the economy from global supply disruptions and geopolitical shocks. The proposal forms part of a draft policy aimed at strengthening the country’s energy security amid ongoing volatility in international oil markets. Government believes larger fuel stockpiles would help cushion the impact of supply interruptions, price spikes and regional conflicts that threaten fuel availability. The policy also seeks to improve reserve management and ensure adequate emergency supplies, reducing the risk of economic disruption during future energy crises. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
FAILING MUNICIPALITIES AT CENTRE OF WORSENING WATER CRISIS
South Africa’s water sector is deteriorating as new Green Drop, Blue Drop and No Drop reports reveal rising system failures and weak municipal compliance. Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation raised concern over authorities failing to submit and implement corrective action plans, undermining efforts to fix infrastructure and reduce nonrevenue water. Wastewater systems in critical condition increased from 344 (39%) in 2022 to 396 (47%) in 2025, while good-performing systems fell from 118 (14%) to 66 (8%). Nonrevenue water remains high at 47.3%, almost unchanged from 47.4%. The committee also warned of severe skills shortages, with only 1 151 of 2 431 required process controllers currently employed nationwide. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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SPAR TARGETS TROUBLED KZN DISTRIBUTION FOR TURNAROUND
Spar has pinned its turnaround strategy on fixing operational problems at its KZN distribution centre, which contributed R123 million to the retailer’s first-half profit decline. The group described its interim performance as disappointing, with additional pressure coming from overspending on Black Friday promotions and rising debtor costs. For the six months to March 2026, headline earnings per share plunged 45.5% to 181.6 cents, while operating profit fell 36.7% to R752 million despite revenue increasing 1.6% to R66.8 billion. Management believes stabilising the troubled distribution hub is critical to restoring service levels, improving efficiency and supporting a sustainable recovery in earnings and profitability. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
AFRIMAT DITCHES QUARRIES TO PAVE WAY FOR LAFARGE DEAL
Afrimat has completed the final regulatory requirements attached to its Lafarge South Africa acquisition, including the disposal of assets worth about R215 million after agreeing to sell five quarries and four ready-mix concrete operations as required by competition authorities. The group said the sales ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while preserving competition in affected markets. CEO Andries van Heerden noted that completing the conditions marks another milestone in integrating Lafarge’s operations into Afrimat’s portfolio. The acquisition, described by the company as transformational, strengthens Afrimat’s position in the construction materials sector and supports its long-term growth strategy across South Africa’s infrastructure and building markets. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
TIGER WHEEL & TYRE FINDS JAPANESE BUYER
SA tyre retail group Tiger Wheel & Tyre has been sold to new Japanese owners in an undisclosed-value deal, marking continued foreign interest in South Africa’s automotive aftermarket sector. The transaction transfers ownership of the well-known fitment and tyre chain, which operates a nationwide retail footprint. While financial terms were not disclosed, the deal is understood to reflect strong investor confidence in the brand’s established market position and customer base. The new owners are expected to support expansion and operational stability while leveraging existing infrastructure. The acquisition adds to a growing trend of Japanese investment in South African consumer and mobility-related businesses amid global diversification strategies.(SOURCE: News24)
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NOTHING FESTIVE IN DANONE, CLOVER CUSTARD WAR
A dispute has emerged in the South African dairy market between Danone, owner of Ultra Mel, and rival Clover over festive season advertising claims related to custard products. Danone has raised concerns about the accuracy and implications of Clover’s marketing, arguing that certain promotional messaging may mislead consumers regarding product positioning and seasonal associations. The matter highlights growing competition in the packaged dairy segment, where brands increasingly rely on festive demand to boost sales. While the specifics of the complaint have not been fully detailed, the case underscores heightened scrutiny of advertising practices in South Africa’s fast-moving consumer goods sector. (SOURCE: News24)
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STANDARD BANK LEADS R830 BILLION NIGERIAN REFINERY IPO
Standard Bank has secured a leading role in the planned initial public offering of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a deal expected to value the Nigerian energy giant at about $50 billion (about R830 billion). The refinery, owned by Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, is the continent’s largest oil-processing facility and a key part of efforts to reduce Africa’s dependence on imported fuel. Africa’s biggest lender, Standard Bank Group, said its involvement highlights confidence in the project’s long-term prospects. The IPO is expected to attract substantial international investor interest and further strengthen capital markets across the continent while supporting Africa’s energy security ambitions. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
... AND MUSK REACHES FOR THE STARS AS FIRST-EVER TRILLIONAIRE
South African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk is expected to become the world’s first trillionaire, driven by the planned initial public offering of SpaceX. The company is seeking a valuation of about $1.77 trillion (about R29.3 trillion), despite reporting quarterly revenue of only $4.3-billion, highlighting the scale of investor expectations around future growth in space-based technology and AI infrastructure. If achieved, Musk’s net worth would exceed the GDP of most countries globally and more than double South Africa’s economy. SpaceX’s expansion into satellite networks and potential space-based solar energy systems underpins the valuation, reflecting investor belief in long-term returns from commercial space exploration and data-centre innovation. (SOURCE: Daily Maverick) |
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BIZZ-LINK NETWORK
A fun speed-networking forum with a bonus business hack
Please join us for this fun speed networking forum. Everyone gets 90 seconds to promote their business as effectively as possible.
The "winner" gets to keep the highly-coveted Bizz-Link Bee (Bizz) until the next Bizz-Link network. A picture of Bizz and the winner's team will be published in eBizBlitz (because everyone likes a winner). Oh, and we'll give you coffee and a muffin too!
Business hack: Derek Alberts will present on: A SIX -STEP FORMULA TO TURN AN EVENT, ACTIVITY, ACHIEVEMENT OR MILESTONE AT YOUR BUSINESS INTO A COMPELLING STORY
• Too many businesses - and individuals - fail to leverage opportunities to promote their products or services.
• Only by spreading the word in as many imaginative ways as possible, as often as possible, do you achieve the Holy Grail of marketing - word-of-mouth endorsement.
• An easy-to-follow guide will help you convert an ordinary event into a spectacular success.
Date: 18 June 2026
Time: 8:00 – 10:00
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (includes vat): PMCB Members: R60, Non-members: R120
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Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.
J.K. Rowling |
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