| PUTTING THE BUSINESS INTIMIDATION RECORD STRAIGHT |
The fall-out in response to the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business’ assertion that the rule of law is the departure point of any dispute has been nothing short of astounding.
At issue is the thuggish behaviour of some members of a grouping that calls itself the Labour and Civic Organisation (Laco) who appear to be engaging in a campaign of intimidation. To address the fall-out on social media yesterday, the PMCB yesterday released a detailed explanation setting out its position in a bid to inform detractors who either don’t understand the complexities around the matter or are willfully spreading falsehoods and personal insults.
Not to revisit yesterday’s crystal clear communication, the facts are as follows:
The rule of law applies to all matters in dispute.
Policies and procedures must be followed as laid down in relevant legislation.
Intimidatory actions cannot be justified on the basis of allegations and accusations.
The PMCB does not condone unethical or unlawful labour practices.
As a volunteer organisation, the PMCB expects its members to comply with labour legislation.
Here’s to hoping that all and sundry will read the response and are able to separate issues in the interests of fairness, transparency and legal compliance.
A happy weekend to all and to our superstitious readers, an uneventful Friday the 13th! Derek Alberts (editor)
See below: Ramaphosa targets organised crime, justice reform, 5 000 more cops |
| STRIKING A BLOW FOR ARTISTIC EMPOWERMENT |
(ltr) Angie Narayanan (Community Chest and artist Nazli Desai handing over a handmade thread-work to art collector Dr Sanjay Maharaj.
Artist Nazli Desai’s thread-work piece, inspired by Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo (you strike a woman, you strike a rock)” took 110 hours,408 metres of thread and 17 480 stitches to complete. Community Chest introduced the artwork to Dr Sanjay Maharaj, who added it to his collection. Beyond creating art, Desai runs skill-training workshops for women and girls, helping them develop talents, earn income, and build confidence. Through showcasing local talent and fostering artistic endeavour, Community Chest strengthens Pietermaritzburg’s cultural and economic community while celebrating empowerment and resilience. |
| FULL N3 ROAD CLOSURES TO DELAY DURBAN TRAVEL |
Motorists traveling to and from Durban are warned of full N3 closures from 6 pm tomorrow, 14 February, until 4 am, Monday, 16 February for the demolition of the old Candella Road Bridge as part of EB Cloete Interchange upgrades. While eastbound and westbound N3 lanes will close; N2 and inland N3 routes remain open. SANRAL urges drivers to plan routes, use detours, allow extra time, and for trucks to delay travel where possible. Safety measures, reduced speed limits, and traffic accommodations will be in place. Full alternative route details are available here.
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2005: Ladysmith Black Mambazo won a Grammy Award.
Elsewhere, in 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologized to the Aboriginal peoples for abuses they had suffered under earlier administrations.
An ode to sound waves through the ages, on World Radio Day. |
RAMAPHOSA PUSHES RESET BUTTON ON ESKOM UNBUNDLING
President Cyril Ramaphosa used his State of the Nation Address last night reset the direction of Eskom’s unbundling, effectively overruling Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on aspects of the reform path. While government remains committed to splitting Eskom into generation, transmission and distribution entities, Ramaphosa signalled a recalibration to ensure energy security and financial sustainability are not compromised.
The move comes amid concerns about municipal debt exceeding R100 billon and the pace of market liberalisation. Ramaphosa emphasised that reforms must stabilise supply, accelerate grid expansion and attract private investment, while protecting municipalities’ revenue base. The reset suggests a more coordinated approach within government as structural energy reforms remain central to economic recovery and growth. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AND TARGETS ORGANISED CRIME, JUSTICE REFORM, 5 000 MORE COPS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared organised crime the most immediate threat to democracy and economic growth, pledging sweeping criminal justice reforms in his State of the Nation Address. Government will consolidate intelligence at national level, identify priority syndicates and deploy multidisciplinary intervention teams to dismantle criminal networks.
Ramaphosa announced tighter gun laws, lifestyle audits and the re-vetting of senior SAPS and metro police officials. The SANDF may be deployed in the Western Cape and Gauteng to combat gang violence and illegal mining. An additional 5,500 police officers will be recruited this year, adding to 20,000 previously announced. A new illicit economic disruption programme will target tobacco, fuel and counterfeit goods using data analytics and AI, alongside strengthened anti-corruption bodies and whistle-blower protections. (SOURCE: Daily Maverick)
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... AND SIGNALS TARIFF REFORMS TO PROTECT INDUSTRY
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his ninth State of the Nation Address, indicated South Africa will review trade policies to counter global fragmentation and protect domestic jobs. The speech follows unilateral US tariffs under former President Donald Trump, which targeted South African exports and stoked misinformation. Ramaphosa said measures will strengthen manufacturing, revive the ferrochrome sector, and safeguard jobs in steel, automotive, and allied industries employing hundreds of thousands. He highlighted plans to close tariff loopholes, boost industrial resilience, and support growth sectors such as agriculture, mining, services, and the green economy. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will propose fiscal interventions addressing malnutrition and economic vulnerabilities in the medium-term budget policy statement. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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TONGAAT HULETT HURTLING TOWARDS LIQUIDATION
Tongaat Hulett is heading toward liquidation, with business rescue practitioners (BRPs) blaming a failed transaction involving Vision Investments, linked to businessman Robert Gumede. The BRPs allege Vision failed to meet funding commitments critical to concluding the group’s restructuring plan, leaving the embattled sugar producer without a viable path forward. Creditors now face significant losses as efforts to secure alternative funding have faltered. Tongaat, once a pillar of KZN’s sugar industry, has been under business rescue since 2022 amid mounting debt and governance challenges, with liquidation threatening jobs and regional agricultural stability. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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MANUFACTURING OUTPUT DECLINE HIGHLIGHTS PRESSURES
South Africa’s manufacturing production fell 1.4% year-on-year in December, Statistics South Africa reports. Key declines came from food and beverages, wood and paper products, and basic metals, machinery, and non-ferrous metal sectors. Month-on-month, output dropped 1.2% following November’s 2.1% increase. Q4 2025 saw a 0.5% contraction, with eight of 10 divisions posting negative growth. Motor vehicles, wood products, and food sectors contributed most to the decline. Manufacturing sales also weakened, falling 4.5% in December and 2.5% in Q4 compared with the previous quarter, signaling ongoing pressures across the industrial landscape. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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LOCALLY-MADE CLOTHING UNDERMINED BY CHEAP IMPORTS
South African retailers want up to 80 million more garments made locally each year by 2030, potentially adding R7.9 billion in manufacturing sales and creating 34 000 jobs. But imported clothing remains 25%–40% cheaper, undermining localisation efforts. A feasibility study by BMA for the Localisation Support Fund found retailers are willing to source basics such as T-shirts and denim locally, yet cost competitiveness is lacking. Chinese online giants generated more than R7 billion in local sales in 2024, with 8 000 jobs already lost and 34,000 at risk by 2030. Local sourcing sits at 30%, well below the 65% target under the R-CTFL masterplan. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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OUTSTANDING MUNICIPAL AUDITS TRIGGER JSE REBUKE
Tsakani Maluleke has urged Parliament to intervene after nine municipal audits missed statutory deadlines. Writing to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, she cited a breakdown in financial discipline and late submission of statements. The JSE warned the City of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Cape Town their bonds could face suspension if audited results are not filed by February 28. By end-November 2025, 230 audits were completed, up from 206 a year earlier, but delays persist. Maluleke recommended referral to Scopa and the co-operative governance committee for oversight. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS SALGA BLASTS TREASURY OVER MUNICIPAL FUNDING CUTS
Salga president Bheki Stofile has criticised National Treasury’s withholding of equitable share allocations to defaulting municipalities, calling it punitive and “deeply flawed”. Speaking at the Salga lekgotla, he warned that eroding municipal fiscal capacity threatens service delivery and local governance. Treasury and the FSCA say funds were withheld to recover billions owed in unpaid pension and medical contributions, affecting nearly 600 000 employees. Municipalities owe Eskom more than R100 billion, while electricity reform risks cutting a key revenue stream. Despite some audit improvements, R17.6bn was lost to wasteful spending over three years, underscoring deep structural challenges in local government finances. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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NO END TO PLEASE CALL ME SAGA AS ARBITRATION BID REJECTED
Nkosana Makate has rejected attempts by Vodacom to move their compensation dispute to arbitration, saying the matter should stay in court. Makate is claiming between R9 billion and R63 billion for the Please Call Me concept, depending on the revenue model applied. In 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled he was entitled to reasonable compensation, ordering Vodacom’s CEO to determine the amount. A later offer of about R47 million was rejected. Vodacom argues arbitration could fast-track resolution, but Makate insists only the courts can ensure transparency and a fair determination of the multibillion-rand claim. (SOURCE: News24)
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SA POULTRY BEATS THE ODDS TO RUFFLE FEATHERS GLOBALLY
Despite drought, avian flu, rising feed costs, and energy constraints, South Africa’s poultry industry remains technically efficient and globally competitive, says the BFAP 2025 Competitiveness Benchmark Report. The country now surpasses the United States in efficiency, achieving the lowest feed conversion ratio among major producers and a 31.5-day production cycle. Over the past decade, carcass weights rose 4.5% and feed efficiency improved 14.1%, offsetting higher input costs. Production increased 11.8% while outpacing consumption growth. With moderated feed prices and export potential, SA poultry is poised for continued growth, reflecting sustained investment, innovation, and resilience under persistent challenges. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
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COPPER ON THE RISE ON SUPPLY FEARS, WEAKER DOLLAR
Copper extended gains as a tighter global supply outlook and a weaker Dollar buoyed prices, despite softer Chinese buying ahead of the Lunar New Year. Investors are betting on rising demand from manufacturing, the green energy transition and artificial intelligence, while mine output remains constrained by declining ore grades. Speculative funds, including Chinese traders, have amplified the rally. On the London Metal Exchange, copper rose 0.5% to $13 166.50 (about R211 000) a ton. Nickel gained 0.6% amid Indonesian output cuts, while iron ore edged up 0.3% to $100.25. Chinese spot trades and futures activity eased before the holiday slowdown. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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The Tech That's Surprising South African Engineers |
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When engineers first see a Bambu Lab printer running, they usually ask the same question: “How much does that cost?”
The answer surprises them.
These machines pack features that, until recently, required significantly higher capital outlay: closed-loop motor control that compensates for errors in real-time, lidar-based bed levelling that adjusts automatically, automatic bed levelling that works reliably and consistently, and multi-material capability that swaps filaments without intervention.
At Akhani 3D in Howick, we run these printers daily in our production environment. The 0.1mm layer height produces parts we’re comfortable putting in front of clients. Carbon-filled filaments, engineering-grade PETG, flexible TPU - we’ve tested these materials on real jobs, not just sample prints.
For South African manufacturers dealing with import delays and minimum order constraints, having this capability in-house changes the arithmetic. No more waiting weeks for overseas prototypes.
We’ve worked in additive manufacturing for two decades. Bambu Lab represents a genuine step-change in what’s achievable at an accessible price point.
For engineers who dismissed desktop printing as a prototyping curiosity, these machines warrant reconsideration.
Contact Rapid 3D for application-specific guidance.
See the full range at rapid3d.co.za |
NGO FORUM
Invites all NGO's to a Brainstorming session on alternative ideas for NPO fundraising & sustainable income
This session is aimed at having a brainstorming discussion regarding the ongoing funding instability, foreign funding freeze and payment delays from the DSD.
It will not just be about money but also about the ways of cutting costs or generating income from other means, as well as networking and partnerships and a call to learn, share, and support one another as we face these challenges. We serve our city's most vulnerable! Let's put our heads together.
Your homework: bring your BEST THREE ideas on how to find help outside of the funding and grants box.
Sharing best practices for financial resilience and exploring joint advocacy through the NGO Forum.
Join us to ensure Pietermaritzburg remains a caring community. We look forward to seeing you there.
Date: Friday, 20 February 2026
Time: 10h00 - 12h00
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
Cost: No Charge |
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The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
Franklin D. Roosevelt |
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| Dollar | R16.04 | - 0.50% | | Pound | R21.81
| - 0.30% | | Euro | R19.01
| - 0.33% | | Yen | 0.104490 |
| | Yuan | R2.32
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These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 2 036.39
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