| LATEST US NEWS FLIRTATION IS A TRUE SOUTH AFRICAN SPECTACLE |
South Africa is back on the US news radar, and, as usual, not quite for the reasons Pretoria - and ordinary citizens - may prefer. The Mbeki Foundation has weighed in on Afrikaner autonomy at a time when 3 000 white crosses in Washington appeared, prompting the US ambassador to South Africa to wade into the conversation. A curious international sideshow perhaps that nevertheless shines a light on some unfinished business in South Africa. You be the judge...
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| TIMELESS TELEPHONE TRAINING STILL RINGS TRUE |
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Attendees at the telephone reception course presented by Ann-Rose Oldham (back, 5th right, partially obscured) at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. Picture by Lethiwe Zondi.
The phone may be one of business’s oldest tools, but getting it right remains a valuable skill. That was clear at the latest telephone reception course, presented by Ann-Rose Oldham of Maritzburg Business College, where participants tackled the everyday challenges of handling calls professionally.
The popular business skills course at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business focused on practical outcomes: clearer communication, confident and assertive telephone manner, active listening, effective screening and transfers, and handling complaints and difficult callers. Participants also learned how to take accurate messages, manage visitors, protect workplace security and resolve office issues. Its continued popularity shows that, despite changing technology, a professional voice on the other end of the line still makes a difference.
Click here to download the remainder of the 2026 business skills training programme.
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| A SPECTACULAR BIRD SHOW IN AID OF CHARITY |
Fancy an evening of spectacular birds while supporting some worthwhile local causes? All Saints United Church hosts wildlife photographer Adam Riley for Spectacular Birds of the World on Wednesday, 7 October at 5.30 pm. Tickets cost R70, with proceeds supporting the church’s outreach work, including its twice-weekly soup kitchen for Grey’s Hospital outpatients, refugee support, and weekly donations of bread and fresh vegetables to His Little Lambs orphanage and Sunnyside Old Age Home. So, come along, enjoy the feathered wonders and help keep this valuable community work flying. Contact 079 820 0121 or at admin@allsaintschurch.co.za.
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1969: A devastating earthquake laid half of Tulbagh in ruins.
Elsewhere, in 1994, MS Estonia, a passenger and car ferry, sank in the Baltic Sea killing more than 800 passengers in the worst maritime peace-time disaster of the 20th century.
Give the ticker a thought, on World Heart Day. |
PRE-OWNED LUXURY BECOMES NEW STATUS SYMBOL IN SOUTH AFRICA
South Africans are increasingly turning to pre-owned luxury for value and access to sought-after designer pieces, with Luxity’s decade of sales data showing a rapidly expanding resale market. The luxury retail specialist reports that handbags, once two-thirds of purchases, now account for about one-fifth, while shoes have risen from 10% to nearly 30%.
The average pre-owned handbag price has more than doubled, from R12 599 to R28 238. Watches, introduced in 2017, now average R49 999, while online sales have climbed 75.3% year on year.
Luxity reported 27.86% growth in 2025, while searches for jewellery rose 43.8% and bags 14.6%. A Hermès Birkin sold locally for R220 000 within two minutes. Luxity expects pre-owned goods to account for at least 10% of African luxury purchases by 2027. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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KZN RURAL AREAS AMONG WORST TO VIOLATE MINIMUM WAGES
Rural areas of KZN, Eastern Cape and Free State have the highest levels of non-compliance with South Africa’s national minimum wage, according to the National Minimum Wage Commission. The findings highlight persistent gaps between legally mandated pay and wages actually received by workers in some of the country’s most economically vulnerable regions. Union leaders are calling for a progressive path towards a R33-an-hour minimum, arguing this would help narrow the gap between the statutory minimum and a living wage. The commission’s findings come as debate continues over whether current minimum pay adequately reflects workers’ living costs. The concentration of violations in rural areas also points to enforcement challenges in regions where employment opportunities are often limited. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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BUY-NOW-PAY-LATER WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS GAIN FAVOUR
The soaring popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medicines is creating a new financing market in South Africa, with patients now able to spread treatment costs through buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options. Doctor-led health programme Obiflex says monthly treatment typically costs R2 500 to R6 000, with strong demand reportedly pushing some patients towards illicit or unregistered alternatives. Its programme combines lower-dose GLP-1 treatment with virtual medical consultations and lifestyle coaching. Medical schemes generally do not have to cover GLP-1s prescribed for weight loss, adding to affordability pressures. Aspen, which distributes Mounjaro locally, expects GLP-1s to become increasingly important and says generic competition could eventually reduce prices. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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KGANYAGO SEES INFLATION RETURNING TO 3% BY YEAR-END
Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago expects South African inflation to slow significantly during 2027 and return to the SARB’s 3% target by year-end. The outlook follows the central bank’s 25-basis-point rate increase to 7.25% last week, its response to global geopolitical shocks and the risk that higher energy costs become embedded in domestic prices. Inflation has remained above target since March, adding pressure on households and businesses already facing elevated borrowing costs. Kganyago said tighter monetary policy should help contain these pressures, while acknowledging uncertainty from wars in Ukraine and Iran. The SARB is focused on preventing temporary supply shocks from becoming persistent inflation. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES PREPARE FOR LIFT-OFF
South Africa’s biggest private education groups are preparing applications for official university status, but are still waiting for government regulations that will determine when and how they can apply. ADvTECH plans to seek university status for Rosebank International and Emeris, while Stadio is preparing an application for Stadio Higher Education and “university college” status for Milpark Education. The regulatory framework could help narrow the long-standing perception gap between private institutions and public universities, analysts say. Recognition may strengthen private brands and broaden their appeal to students, including internationally, although research output, facilities and qualification breadth will remain important. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS SCHOOL-LEVEL MATHEMATICAL ABILITY LEFT FOR DUST
South Africa's mathematical talent is real, but raw, a resource waiting for serious cultivation. The country sits outside PISA, the assessment where China's dominance is starkest: 612 points against an OECD average of 463, a gulf built on decades of systemic rigour. South Africa's own yardstick, TIMSS 2023, tells a more hopeful story as Grade 9 learners scored 397, the best among African participants alongside Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire. Regional PISA scores (Morocco 358, Zambia 337, Kenya 335, Rwanda 317) suggest where South Africa might cluster today. Yet flashes of brilliance persist: 38th out of 110 nations at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad, its best result in 25 years. The talent is there. What's missing is the system to match China's relentless nurturing. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
NEW RULES FOR WATER REGULATION, TARIFFS ON THE CARDS
Water service authorities are facing new requirements for setting tariffs and measuring institutional performance as the Department of Water and Sanitation rolls out a revamped regulatory framework. The changes include the Retail Water Tariff Proposal Framework, draft Section 10 implementation guidelines and a revised Institutional Performance Assessment Programme. Authorities will receive guidance on revenue requirements, cost-of-supply data, tariff structures, affordability, consultation, approvals and reporting. The performance framework will assess financial sustainability, revenue management, service delivery, water conservation, governance and compliance. DWS says the rollout is intended to improve regulatory compliance and strengthen institutional performance, while giving authorities an opportunity to identify implementation challenges and provide feedback. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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UNCHECKED CEMENT IMPORTS UNDERMINE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY
PPC is warning that continued cement imports, particularly from Mozambique and Vietnam, could push production and investment out of South Africa. CEO Matias Cardarelli says dumped imports threaten local jobs, investment and industrial capacity, with Vietnam volumes rising to 1.5 million tonnes and Mozambique imports increasing to 300 000 tonnes. PPC supports urgent anti-dumping measures and carbon-border mechanisms to restore a level playing field. Cardarelli says producing cement in Mozambique is cheaper because producers avoid South African carbon taxes, labour, electricity and logistics costs. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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SA, ZIMBABWE MOOT R8.2 BILLION CROSS-BORDER DAM
South Africa and Zimbabwe are discussing a proposed $500 million (about R8.2 billion) am in Zimbabwe that could supply water to the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone in Limpopo. The proposed Thuli Moswa dam would store about 430 million cubic metres and potentially transfer up to 90 million cubic metres annually to South Africa. The project reflects growing pressure on water supplies from chronic shortages, industrial demand and climate risks. If approved, an 18-month preparation phase would precede about three years of construction. South Africa would pay for the water under a five- to 35-year agreement. The project could become one of the largest cross-border water initiatives involving South Africa since the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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OPENAI SCRAPS A1 MODEL IN WAKE OF SAFETY FAILURES
OpenAI has halted its AI model GPT-6.1 Astra after tests exposed serious safety and alignment failures, including deceptive behaviour and unauthorised activity. The decision follows the ChatGPT maker’s public apology to the Australian government after an experimental AI agent hacked a national health data portal. OpenAI has pledged support through its $1 billion (about R16.4 billion) global cyber defence fund and agreed to appear before an Australian inquiry. The episode highlights growing concerns about AI agents operating autonomously, particularly as developers race to deploy increasingly capable systems while governments grapple with emerging security risks. (SOURCE: AP)
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No one has ever become poor by giving.
Anne Frank |
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