| EUPHORIA IS POWERFUL, AND SO IS GROUNDED REALISM |
South Africa’s sudden glow-up in global markets has been nothing short of astonishing. In less than a year, the Rand has surged from beyond R19/$ to stronger than R16/$ on the back of a weakening US Dollar and a breathtaking rally in precious metals (see below). Gold vaulted nearly $500 in days to around a historic $5 100 an ounce, while platinum smashed through the $2 770 peg - levels last seen decades ago. Sentiment has flipped fast: SA is being talked up as the flavour of the month, perhaps even the year (see below).
Even the usual party-pooping culprits - weak growth, unemployment, corruption, municipal failures, even geopolitical risks - are off the table as confidence, capital inflows and record equity prices now dominate the narrative.
Amid the optimism, it’s worth bearing in mind that cycles are unforgiving. Economies turn, currencies reverse and optimism can overshoot fundamentals. For investors enjoying the rally, especially in shares, this is precisely the moment not to forget risk management. Euphoria is powerful - but stop-losses exist for a reason. Derek Alberts (Editor)
|
| BEANS ARE POPPING, COFFEE IS HOPPING IN KZN |
 |
Dario Scilipot of Bluebird Coffee Roastery (right) accepting the Roastery of the Year award from Rob Stein of Loring Roasters.
KZN’s coffee culture is on a growth path and increasingly benefitting from a burgeoning coffee-growing ecosystem. For now, the focus is on a thriving specialty scene with artisanal roasters, mobile coffee vendors, and passionate baristas driving innovation. The region now hosts some of South Africa’s top coffee establishments, including Bluebird Coffee Roastery in Howick that has been named South Africa’s Roastery of the Year by Coffee Magazine, adding another accolade to its growing list of achievements.
Separately, in a competition focussing on KZN, the second edition of Battle of the Beans will reveal the ultimate victors from the top regional finalists in seven regions across KZN. Among the contestants are Lineage Coffee in Nottingham Road and The Upper Millstone in Hilton representing Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands.
|
| WHY DO EDUCATED PEOPLE FALL PREY TO CONSPIRACY THEORIES? |
1943: Prime Minister General Jan Smuts requested parliamentary approval to send South African troops to Europe.
Elsewhere, in 1967, the US, UK and Soviet Union signed the Outer Space Treaty that banned the deployment of nuclear weapons in outer space and limited the use of the Moon to peaceful purposes.
International Holocaust Day is observed today at a time when tensions and conflicts are fuelled by leaders intent on polarisation and divisions. |
RAND TARGETS R15.50/$ MILESTONE AS MOMENTUM BUILDS
The Rand pushed toward the R15.50/$ mark as a confluence of supportive factors lifted sentiment. Precious metals provided a tailwind, with gold trading above $5 000/oz and platinum rebounding, improving export receipts for a sector that accounts for roughly 10% of merchandise exports.
Local bonds attracted steady foreign inflows, with yields near 11% on the 10-year offering some of the highest real returns among emerging markets. The yield spread over US Treasuries remains above 600 basis points, sustaining carry-trade interest. Policy signals around energy reform and fiscal consolidation also reassured investors. While global risks persist - notably US rate timing and geopolitical shocks - the Rand’s short-term bias has firmed, with technical support now seen closer to R15.70/$ and resistance near R15.30/$. (SOURCE: BDLive/Bloomberg/Reuters)
|
REVAMPED TRANSFORMATION FUND DOUBLES BEE INCENTIVES
Government is preparing to launch a revamped R100 billion Transformation Fund that will significantly reshape broad-based black economic empowerment incentives. Companies will be able to earn up to 30 BBBEE points by contributing 3% of net profit after tax - double the points available through traditional enterprise and supplier development routes. Early commitments total R13.1 billion, led by Afreximbank’s R10.8 billion pledge. The fund, incubated by the National Empowerment Fund, will target priority sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing and logistics. While the move promises simplified compliance and patient capital for black-owned firms, governance concerns persist over a minister-appointed board controlling investment decisions. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
... AS GOVERNMENT EXTENDS LABOUR PROTECTIONS TO CREATIVES
The government is moving to extend full labour protections to performers in South Africa’s creative industries, signalling a major shift in how artists and actors are treated under the law. Proposed reforms would classify performers as workers, bringing them under existing labour legislation that governs wages, contracts and dispute resolution. The move aims to address long-standing concerns about precarious employment, irregular income and limited bargaining power in the sector. Supporters say the changes could improve job security and professional standards, while critics warn they may increase costs for producers and smaller studios operating on tight margins. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
ESKOM UNBUNDLING PLAN SPARKS GROWING OPPOSITION
Opposition is mounting against Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa’s plan to unbundle Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility. Labour unions, industry stakeholders, and some government officials warn the proposal could destabilise the electricity sector and lead to job losses. Critics argue that splitting Eskom into separate generation, transmission, and distribution entities may weaken operational efficiency and strain finances. Ramokgopa maintains the move is necessary to improve service delivery, attract investment, and modernise the power system amid ongoing load-shedding challenges. The debate highlights tensions between reform ambitions and concerns over potential economic and social repercussions, with stakeholders urging careful consultation before implementation. (SOURCE: News24)
|
ILLICIT ECONOMY SYNDICATES ERODE TAX BASE
SA Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter has warned that South Africa is steadily losing ground to powerful illicit economy syndicates, with illegal trade now deeply entrenched across several sectors. He said the unlawful trade in tobacco, fuel and gold has grown more organised, sophisticated and violent, draining billions from the fiscus each year. Kieswetter noted that criminal networks exploit regulatory gaps, porous borders and weak enforcement capacity, undermining compliant businesses and distorting markets. He cautioned that the expanding illicit economy threatens fiscal sustainability, public safety and economic growth, calling for stronger inter-agency cooperation, tougher prosecutions and improved intelligence-led enforcement to restore state authority. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
QATAR AIRWAYS TO FLY 7-DAYS-A-WEEK TO DURBAN FROM MARCH
Qatar Airways will increase flights between Doha and Durban to seven weekly services from March 1, including a stop in Maputo. The move reflects confidence in KZN’s air travel market, supported by a reported 11.6% year-on-year passenger growth at King Shaka International Airport in December. Durban Direct, a multi-stakeholder initiative promoting air and cargo connectivity in the province, said the expanded route strengthens KZN’s tourism and business prospects. Key members include Airports Company South Africa, Durban Tourism, Dube TradePort SEZ, and Trade and Investment KZN, highlighting co-ordinated efforts to grow international and domestic travel. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
|
THREATENING WHATSAPP COMES AT A WORKER'S JOB
A South African court has upheld the dismissal of an employee for sending a threatening WhatsApp message, describing the comment as “patently threatening.” The message, which referenced violent intent toward colleagues, was deemed a serious breach of workplace conduct. The ruling reinforces the principle that social media communications, even in private chats, can have legal and employment consequences when they endanger others. Labour law experts note that the decision sets a clear precedent for employers and employees alike: threats conveyed digitally are taken seriously, and dismissals under such circumstances are likely to be upheld if proportional and procedurally fair. (SOURCE: News24)
|
CHINESE VEHICLE SALES SOAR 74% IN 2025
Chinese new-vehicle sales in South Africa surged 74.4% in 2025, outpacing most competitors and helping drive the market’s rebound above pre-pandemic levels. Naamsa data shows new-vehicle registrations rose 11.9% year-on-year, with Chinese brands leading the growth alongside value-focused models. WeBuyCars reported total vehicle sales of 179 006 units, reflecting shifting consumer demand toward affordable, feature-rich imports that offer modern tech previously found only in premium lines. Chinese marques such as Chery, GWM and others now command a growing share of the market as affordability and advanced standard equipment attract cost-conscious South African buyers. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
COPPER RALLY LEADS BASE METAL REVIVAL
Copper extended its rally yesterday as sustained Dollar weakness lifted base metals across the board. The metal rose 0.3% to $13 154 a ton on the London Metal Exchange by mid-morning in Shanghai, after climbing as much as 1.1% earlier. Gains followed a near 3% surge on Friday. Aluminium and zinc also advanced 0.3%, while tin briefly jumped 1.2% to a record $57,515 a ton after a 9.5% spike last week. A Bloomberg dollar index fell 0.4% on Monday, extending a 1.6% weekly drop - its sharpest decline since May - making dollar-priced commodities cheaper for global buyers. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
|
DECLINING VACCINATIONS LEAD TO GLOBAL MEASLES SURGE
The World Health Organisation has stripped Britain, Spain, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan of measles elimination status, citing rising infection rates. WHO warns vaccination coverage must exceed 95%, yet the UK reported only 84.4% of children fully vaccinated in 2024, with 2 911 confirmed cases, the highest since 2012. Measles, highly contagious but preventable, is resurging amid declining vaccine confidence post-COVID. Health authorities urge parents to vaccinate children promptly, especially as schools reopen. Experts caution that gaps in immunisation threaten public health, increasing the risk of serious complications, outbreaks, and setbacks in controlling other preventable diseases across Europe. (SOURCE: Reuters)
|
 |
RULES OF ORIGIN FOR EXPORTERS & IMPORTERS
This course provides a comprehensive overview of Rules of Origin, focusing on the effective implementation and application of origin procedures. Emphasizing practical topics, it prioritizes equipping international trade professionals with the knowledge to understand and adeptly apply the regulations found in Free Trade Agreements or Generalised System of Preferences (GSPs) (GSPs).
Main Topics:
· The reason for the Certification of Certificates of Origin and other Commercial Documentations
· Analyse Source Documentation
· Certify Certificates of Origin and other Commercial Documentation in compliance with regulations, process, and procedures of the issuing Body.
· Create and maintain records in conformity with the minimum requirements of the issuing Body.
· How to deal with queries relating to Certification of Certificates of Origin and other Commercial Documentation.
Date: Tuesday, 3 February 2025
Time: 9h00 - 14h00
Venue: On-Line
Cost: R1200 pp Excl. VAT (members), R1600 pp Excl. VAT (non-members) |
|
|
Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.
Frank Tyger |
|
|
|
| Dollar | R16.01 | + 0.21% | | Pound | R21.92 | + 0.16% | | Euro | R19.01 | + 0.22% | | Yen | 0.103591 |
| | Yuan | R2.30 | + 0.27% | | Bitcoin | $ 88 214.32 | + 0.26% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 2 719.08
| + 4.99% | | Gold | $ 5 085.82
| + 1.53% | | Oil | $ 65.41 | - 0.40% | | All Share | 124 563.35
| + 1.87% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
|
|
|
|
|
