| MKHIZE WARNING RESONATES AS MUNICIPAL STRIKES PERSIST |
With November’s local government elections approaching, former KZN Finance MEC Zweli Mkhize’s call to hold municipal officials accountable, rather than punish households, takes on added relevance amid continuing service-delivery frustrations. In Pietermaritzburg, an on-off-on municipal strike has disrupted services and added to uncertainty for residents and businesses. Against this backdrop, poor governance, financial failures and opportunistic coalitions are likely to face sharper scrutiny. For voters, the elections provide an opportunity to assess those seeking power on their record. Acting collectively, communities and businesses can send a clear message that accountability, competent administration and reliable services matter more than political convenience.
See below: Know your municiplaity: Empowering NPOs to enagage |
| COMRADES MARATHON CENTENARY SET TO REWRITE HISTORY |
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A commemorative logo and slogan The Greatest Story Ever Run - chosen from more than 200 submissions - will mark next year’s 100th edition of the race.
The Comrades Marathon Association has promised a landmark celebration of the race celebrating its centenary in 2027. Anchored by the campaign slogan The Greatest Story Ever Run, the 100th edition will also marking the 50th traditional Down Run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Scheduled for Sunday, 13 June 2027, the race will finish at Durban’s Kings Park sports precinct, with the entry cap increased to a record 28 000 runners. The route is expected to measure about 91km, although the official distance will be confirmed after roadworks are completed.
Entry fees remain unchanged, with registrations opening on 25 August in three phases. The CMA says extensive planning is under way to safely accommodate the larger field. Centenary celebrations will continue throughout the nine-month build-up, culminating in what organisers promise will be a spectacular 100th race, notwithstanding an ongoing disagreement with Athletics South Africa and KZN Athletics. (SOURCE: CMA)
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| LIBERTY MIDLANDS MALL SHOPPERS VIE FOR MIDLANDS GETAWAY |
Shoppers at Liberty Midlands Mall could turn everyday spending into a Midlands escape as Passport to Paradise returns with a getaway for two up for grabs. The promotion rewards shoppers with a stamp for every R350 spent at participating stores. Collect 10 stamps, submit the completed entry card and stand a chance to win a Midlands Meander getaway for two.
The campaign follows its first phase when shopper Shobashni Naidoo won a Drakensberg Sun weekend valued at R5 000. The final phase launches in November, offering a Durban holiday. The initiative aims to transform routine shopping into memorable experiences, to celebrate key KZN destinations, said General Manager Lawrence Joubert.
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| KNOW YOUR MUNICIPALITY: EMPOWERING NPOS TO ENGAGE |
The popular NGO Forum invites NPOs and other interested parties to an informative session tomorrow, 21 August, at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business to explore how local government works, its current realities, and how organisations can participate in shaping their municipality. Presented by Anthony Waldhausen, head of MARRC, the session promises practical insights for the NGO sector. Free attendance. Contact Kay at (033) 345 2747 or chamber@pmcb.org.za.
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1983: The United Democratic Front (UDF) was launched.
Elsewhere, in 1940, Russian Russian revolutionary, Soviet politician, and political theorist Leon Trotsky was assassinated by a Stalinist agent in Mexico.
Here’s to International Hawaiian Pizza Day!
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INFLATION SURPRISE BOOSTS CASE FOR HOLDING RATES
Annual inflation eased sharply to 4.3% in July from 5% in June, according to StatsSA yesterday. The unexpected decline strengthens the case for the Reserve Bank to keep rates unchanged. The figure beat the 4.5% median forecast of 18 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Monthly inflation rose just 0.2%, compared with 0.7% previously.
However, underlying pressures edged higher, with core inflation rising to 4.2% from 4.1%. Food inflation fell dramatically to 0.6%, helped by strong agricultural output (see below).
The Reserve Bank kept its benchmark rate at 7% last month, but markets price a 70% chance of a 25-basis-point increase in September. The next policy decision is due on 23 September, with economists divided over the outlook. (SOURCE: BDLive/Bloomberg)
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... AS FOOD INFLATION HITS 16-YEAR LOW
South African food inflation fell to a 16-year low of 0.6% year-on-year in July, helping drive headline consumer inflation down to 4.3%, from 5% in June. The easing is particularly significant for poorer households, which spend a large share of income on food. Abundant maize and grain harvests, alongside lower global prices, have helped contain food costs. Maize meal prices fell 3.1% month-on-month in July, while beetroot prices dropped more than 23% year-on-year and soft citrus declined over 22%. However, economists warn inflation could rise again as fuel prices increase and adverse weather threatens future harvests. Retail sales growth also slowed to 1.6% in June. (SOURCE: Daily Maverick)
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... AND RAND SURGES AFTER SURPRISE US TREASURY BUYBACK
The Rand strengthened sharply after the US Treasury announced it would double its purchases of longer-dated government bonds, easing pressure in global bond markets. The currency moved from R16.25/$ to below R16.08/$, its strongest level in more than five months, before trading around R16.10/$. The Treasury will increase buybacks from $2 billion to $4 billion per operation, targeting bonds maturing in 10 to 30 years. The move pushed the US 30-year Treasury yield down almost 10 basis points to 5.187%, improving global risk sentiment. A firmer Rand also benefits South African importers by reducing the cost of Dollar-denominated goods. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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DA PULLS FINANCE CHIEF FROM PARLIAMENT AMID R4 BILLION PROBE
The DA has removed MP Mark Burke from Parliament’s finance committee while the SA Reserve Bank investigates his firm over about R4 billion in transfers. The party said the decision was taken “out of an abundance of caution” to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest. The investigation concerns possible exchange-control breaches involving transactions linked to Burke’s company. The DA said Burke’s removal was precautionary while the probe continues, rather than an indication of wrongdoing. Burke, who serves as the DA’s finance chief, has come under scrutiny as details of the transactions emerge. The Reserve Bank investigation places additional pressure on the party to demonstrate transparency and maintain confidence in parliamentary oversight of financial matters. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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N3 SOLAR EV CHARGING CAPACITY SET TO DOUBLE
Zero Carbon Charge plans to double electric-vehicle charging capacity at its two solar-powered N3 corridor hubs by year-end, responding to rising demand. Capacity at its Tugela site in KZN and at Reitz in the Free State will increase from 360 kW to 720 kW, with up to 600 kW available to a single vehicle. Once upgraded, six vehicles charging simultaneously will each have access to at least 120 kW. The company says South Africa’s electrified vehicles now represent 6% of new light-vehicle sales, with new-energy-vehicle sales up more than 500% year-on-year. Solar capacity will rise 66.1%, from 280 kWp to 470 kWp, while battery storage more than doubles from 645 kWh to 1.4 MWh, supporting off-grid renewable charging. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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ESKORT BRINGS HOME THE BACON WITH DOUBLE GOLD WINS
Estcourt-based pork producer Eskort has secured a clean sweep at two food industry taste competitions, winning 12 awards from six products entered. Five products achieved Double Gold at both the 2026 Aurora International Taste Challenge and South African Food and Beverage Awards, while the sixth earned Gold. Leading the prize-winning line-up were Creamy Pepper Loin Chops, Jalapeño Twisters, Pork Prego Steak, Premium Sliced Gammon and Premium Sliced Pork Pastrami, all Double Gold winners. Pepperoni Griller completed the haul with Gold. Eskort CEO Arnold Prinsloo says the results demonstrate product innovation, quality and a focus on delivering bold flavours and convenience to local consumers. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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CMH TARGETS 6 KZN PROPERTIES IN R745 MILLION DEAL
Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) is acquiring 13 properties for R745 million, including six in KZN which house its own dealerships to strengthen its property footprint in the province. The KZN assets comprise two Mount Edgecombe properties, valued at a combined R165 million, and two properties in nearby Umhlanga. Across KZN and Gauteng, the properties were independently valued at R780 million in April, giving CMH a R35 million discount. Collectively, they generated about R87 million in gross rental income over the preceding year. CMH will fund R350 million, or 47% of the purchase price, through bank financing, with the balance from existing cash reserves. The properties are leased to CMH on a triple-net basis. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
R2 BILLION CURTAILMENT HIGHLIGHT CLEAN ENERGY CONSTRAINTS
The NTCSA expects to pay R2 billion in outstanding curtailment claims to renewable-energy producers by month-end, as restrictions on IPP generation surge. Curtailment events increased from seven in April 2025 to 22 in April 2026, while the amount of energy curtailed rose almost ninefold. The NTCSA currently has 7 908MW of renewable generation connected, while estimated rooftop solar capacity has jumped to 9 219MW, from 7 363MW at the start of the year. With NTCSA paying about R45 billion annually to IPPs, rising deemed-energy costs could eventually affect consumers through tariffs. Experts are calling for transparent curtailment decisions and scrutiny to ensure consumers do not pay for inefficiencies. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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NIH RESTORES SA RESEARCH FUNDING, BUT NOT FOR ALL RESEARCHERS
The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reversed a Trump-era ban on funding South African research, providing a lifeline to the country’s science community. However, the restoration comes with a significant limitation: early-career researchers are excluded from the grants. The funding freeze had threatened research projects, careers and scientific collaboration between South Africa and the US. The NIH reversal therefore offers relief to established researchers and institutions, although the exclusion of younger scientists raises concerns about the pipeline of future researchers. The decision follows months of uncertainty over US funding for South African science. Earlier reports highlighted the potential loss of more than $1.5 billion in international HIV/AIDS financing, underscoring the wider impact of cuts to global health and research funding.(SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS FIGHT AGAINST OVARIAN CANCER PICKS UP PACE
AstraZeneca has launched the Helix Project in South Africa to expand access to advanced ovarian cancer diagnostic testing, potentially enabling earlier and better-informed treatment decisions. The initiative brings together AstraZeneca, Thermo Fisher Scientific and private pathology laboratories Ampath, Gritzman & Thatcher, Lancet and PathCare. It will improve eligible patients’ access to homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing, an important biomarker test supporting personalised treatment decisions. Ovarian cancer is South Africa’s third most common gynaecological cancer, after cervical and uterine cancers, while globally it is the eighth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. .(SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AND MELANOMA VACCINE SHOWS SUCCESS IN LARGE TRIAL
Merck and Moderna say their personalised mRNA vaccine for melanoma succeeded in a large late-stage clinical trial, marking a significant advance in cancer treatment. The vaccine is designed to train the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells based on an individual patient’s tumour. The companies said the trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in outcomes for patients with melanoma when the vaccine was combined with Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda. The results build on earlier studies suggesting personalised vaccines could reduce the risk of cancer returning. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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SIEMENS DEVICES ON HACKERS' RADAR, WARNS US
US authorities have warned that hackers are targeting certain Siemens industrial devices, potentially exposing critical infrastructure to cyberattacks. The warning highlights vulnerabilities in equipment widely used to control industrial processes, including energy and manufacturing systems. The alert underscores growing concerns about cyber threats against operational technology, where successful attacks can disrupt physical infrastructure rather than simply steal data. The US warning comes amid heightened international concern over state-linked and criminal cyber actors targeting infrastructure, reinforcing the need for businesses to identify vulnerable equipment and rapidly implement recommended safeguards. (SOURCE: REuters)
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BITCOIN SURGES 8% AS SHORT SELLERS SHED R16.1 BILLION
Bitcoin surged almost 8% to about $69 500 (about R1.1 million), its strongest level since early June, triggering more than $1 billion (about R16.1 billion) in short-position liquidations within roughly an hour. It was the cryptocurrency’s biggest daily gain since March. The rally followed a meeting between US President Donald Trump and crypto executives, alongside expectations of friendlier digital-asset regulation and falling borrowing costs. Ether gained as much as 12%. Bitcoin’s next major technical test is around $75 000, analysts said, following months of selling that pushed it into the low $60 000s. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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TRAINING - PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Master Project Management from Start to Finish
TRAINER: Nic Nortje – NKR Outsourced HR
OVERVIEW
NKR's Project Management course takes you through the full project lifecycle - initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure - with hands-on, scenario-based exercises (project charters, feasibility studies, WBS, risk and quality management, scheduling, and resourcing). The programme is practical, real-world focused, and designed to equip you with the tools to plan, execute, and deliver projects successfully - on time, on budget, and on scope.Ideal for aspiring and practising project managers looking to sharpen their skills with proven frameworks and real case studies.
Participants will cover the full project lifecycle through hands-on exercises: initiation (business case, feasibility, charter), planning (scope, WBS, scheduling, budgeting, resourcing), execution (team coordination, deliverables, communication, reporting), monitoring and control (KPIs, change requests, corrective action), and closure (handover, lessons learned, final review). Real-world scenarios throughout, so participants leave able to run a project end to end.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
· New/aspiring project managers who need a practical grounding in the fundamentals.
· Team leaders/ Department heads who manage projects alongside other responsibilities but lack formal PM training.
· Business owners running their own projects (launches, expansions, events) who need a structured approach.
· Employees moving into a PM role and needing to get up to speed quickly.
· HR and operations staff who oversee internal projects.
Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.
Date: 27 August 2026
Time: 08:30 – 12:30
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (excludes vat) PMCB Members: R680 p/p, R645 p/p for 3/more, R595 p/p for 5/more Non-members: R900 p/p, R885 p/p for 3/more, R850 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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We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are.
Oprah Winfrey |
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