| NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT A R100 000 FINE OVER A MANHOOD JOKE |
Think before cracking that cheeky workplace joke. The Labour Court has confirmed that a single off-colour quip comparing a colleague's anatomy to the size of a fingerette - a small rubber cone worn over a fingertip to improve grip and protect the skin when counting money, sorting paper or handling documents - was enough to constitute sexual harassment. Although the manager apologised repeatedly, the employer still faced a R100 000 compensation order, underscoring that even one ill-judged joke can carry serious legal and financial consequences.
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| HUMAN, ANIMAL WELLNESS DRIVEN BY EVIDENCE-BASED SCIENCE |
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Keshia Donnelly with some of the products formulated by Optwel.
Meet Optwel SA, a city-based nutraceutical manufacturer specialising in science-backed health and wellness supplements for people and pets, and a new member of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. Founded by UKZN-trained scientist and chemist Dr Bilaal Ismail (PhD), the company combines scientific expertise with innovation to develop practical, evidence-informed wellness products.
What began as a bootstrapped business has grown steadily from small-scale production into an emerging local manufacturer, recently securing investment to support its next phase of growth. As part of this expansion, Optwel has recently moved into new factory premises in Mkondeni.
Optwel is scaling its growth through e-commerce channels, including its online store, Takealot and Amazon SA, as well as expanding its B2B network of health shops, health professionals, pet supply stores and other retailers. “We’re also working towards GMP and ISO certifications to further strengthen our manufacturing capabilities, quality systems and market reach,” said Ismail.
“We’re keen to connect with fellow Chamber members interested in B2B partnerships, retail and distribution opportunities, as well as businesses and entrepreneurs looking for a reliable, innovative and science-led contract manufacturing partner for their own natural healthcare products."
Contact Optwel SA on 063 166 2632 or at info@optwel.co.za. View the website here.
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| REMINDER: FREEME GALA DINNER TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE |
FreeMe Wildlife is hosting a fundraising Gala Dinner tomorrow, 31 July, in what promises to be an evening of elegance, inspiration and conservation. The event at Harrington House aims to raise vital funds and awareness to support the rescue, rehabilitation and release of indigenous wildlife. Tickets are R750 per person and supporters keen to attend or become involved in supporting FreeMe Wildlife's mission are encouraged to contact Louise on 072 290 9389 for further information.
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1870: British adventurer Stafford Parker declared the Klipheuwel settlement at Kimberley a republic and himself president. The Diggers’ Republic lasted a year before annexation by Britain.
2003: The last “classic” Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the assembly line in Mexico.
Say hi on the International Day of Friendship. |
WIDENING WEALTH GAP WIDENS AS 47% EMPLOYEES IN DISTRESS
South Africa's wealth divide is deepening, with affluent households continuing to build assets while lower-income families become trapped in debt, according to Old Mutual's 2026 Savings and Investment Monitor.
The report found 53% of employed South Africans are financially secure or stable, but 47% remain financially vulnerable or in distress. Among wealthier households, 77% are saving regularly compared with just 38% of lower-income earners.
Meanwhile, 61% of financially vulnerable households have no emergency savings, leaving them exposed to unexpected costs. The findings highlight widening inequality, with debt, weak income growth and rising living expenses preventing millions from building long-term financial security. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS TWO-POT REFORMS PORTENT HEALTHIER RETIREMENT OUTLOOK
South Africa's two-pot retirement system is expected to improve the country's long-standing retirement outlook, where only 6% of people have been projected to retire comfortably. NMG Benefits says compulsory preservation of two-thirds of retirement contributions should lift the average replacement ratio from the current 30% to 38% closer to the recommended 75% of pre-retirement income. The employee benefits industry has also expanded from R360 billion in 2016 to R800 billion in 2026. However, rising healthcare costs remain a major concern, with medical scheme membership ageing from an average 32 years to 38, pushing premiums higher. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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OVER 50S TO ACCOUNT FOR 53% OF HIV PATIENTS BY 2040
South Africa, with an estimated 8.5 million people living with HIV and more than 6 million receiving antiretroviral therapy, is preparing for a fundamental shift in healthcare needs as patients live longer. People over 50 living with Aids are expected to increase from 2.3 million to 3.9 million from 2025 to 2040. In 2025, 30% of people living with Aids were over 50 and 7% were over 65, by 2040 those numbers will increase to 53% and 20% respectively. Improved treatment has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, but growing numbers now require care for diabetes, heart disease, cancer and dementia alongside HIV. A new Lancet report projects that, globally, adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV will outnumber younger patients by 2040, with older adults expected to account for more than half of all people living with HIV, requiring more integrated healthcare services. (SOURCE: BDLIve)
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DUBE TRADEPORT EXPORTS REACH R531 MILLION
Investors operating within the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ) generated approximately R531 million in exports during the 2025/26 financial year as industrial and logistics expansion gathered pace. The SEZ invested R109.7 million in infrastructure, including Dube TradeZone 2 and Dube AgriZone 2, while attracting R480 million in new private investment that created 631 permanent and 102 temporary jobs. Since its establishment, Dube TradePort has secured R4.2 billion in private investment and sustained 36 872 permanent jobs. Planned projects include a 4.4 MW solar farm, industrial warehouses and a new water reservoir. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
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DURBAN BEACHFRONT SOUTHERN SUN R250 BILLION REVAMP UNDERWAY
Southern Sun has launched a R250 million phased refurbishment of the 734-room Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel, the group's largest property in South Africa. The three-year project includes upgrades to every room, restaurants, conference facilities, foyer areas and a new club lounge, while work has already begun on the first 11 rooms, exterior renovations and a new pool deck. The investment follows Southern Sun securing a new multi-decade lease with eThekwini Municipality and forms part of a planned R1 billion commitment to its Durban beachfront hotels. Tourism officials say the project signals renewed investor confidence in Durban's Golden Mile. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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JUNE TOURIST ARRIVALS UP 8.9% ON HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS
South Africa welcomed 823 365 overnight tourists in June 2026, a 9.8% increase from 750 177 a year earlier, according to Statistics South Africa. Nearly 2.8 million travellers passed through the country's ports of entry, including almost 2.1 million foreign visitors. SADC countries remained the backbone of tourism, contributing 81.2% of arrivals, led by Mozambique (216,000+), Zimbabwe and Lesotho. Overseas markets accounted for 17.2% (141 796 visitors), with the US, UK and Australia the leading source countries. Holidays dominated travel, representing 97.3% of visits, while business travel comprised just 2.4%. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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TRIBUNAL ORDERS LOTTERY FRAUDSTERS TO REPAY R6 MILLION
The Special Tribunal has ordered former National Lotteries Commission officials, foundation members and associated companies to jointly repay R6 million diverted from a grant intended to build a Soweto sports complex that was never constructed. The NLC had approved a R9 million grant in 2021, but halted the final R3 million payment after discovering no work had begun. Judge Andre Petersen ruled the funding unlawful, finding that more than R2 million was transferred into a director's personal bank account, while substantial sums flowed to linked companies. The defendants must also pay the Special Investigating Unit's legal costs. (SOURCE: GroundUp)
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PREMIER TO SHUTTER R1 BILLION TULBAGH CANNERY
Premier Group will shut its Tulbagh cannery following a strategic review of its manufacturing network, ending operations at the Western Cape facility after investing about R1 billion in the site over the years. The company said production will be consolidated at other plants to improve efficiencies and support long-term competitiveness. The closure is expected to affect employees, with consultations planned in line with labour legislation. Premier said it would work with staff and stakeholders throughout the transition as it continues integrating the recently acquired RFG Foods business and streamlining operations. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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YOUNG AFRICANS FAVOUR CHINA OVER US, RUSSIA
China has strengthened its standing among Africa's youth, with 95% of respondents in the African Youth Survey 2026 viewing Beijing's influence positively, compared with 85% for the United States and 83% for Russia. The survey, conducted among 4 901 people aged 18 to 24 across 16 African countries, found China is increasingly seen as a more favourable partner than the US. In South Africa, just 58% viewed the US positively, the lowest on the continent, while nearly 75% believed their government should stand up to President Donald Trump over international relations and trade. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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J&J AGREES TO R92 BILLION TALC-OVARIAN CANCER SETTLEMENT
Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $5.5 billion (about R92 billion) to settle remaining lawsuits alleging its talc products caused ovarian cancer, potentially ending more than a decade of litigation. The settlement requires participation from 95% of outstanding claimants and could resolve nearly 80 000 cases. J&J has denied wrongdoing, arguing claims lacked scientific merit after expert testimony challenges. The company will pay up to $3 billion in 2027, with further payments from 2028. Previous bankruptcy settlement attempts failed, but the latest agreement has gained plaintiff support following recent court setbacks. (SOURCE: WSJ)
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DIVIDED US FED HOLDS RATES TO HEDGE INFLATION RISKS
The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged for a fifth consecutive meeting, keeping the benchmark federal funds rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, but an unusually divided 9-3 vote highlighted growing concern over persistent inflation. Three policymakers backed a 0.25 percentage-point increase, signalling pressure for tighter monetary policy if price growth remains elevated. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reaffirmed the central bank's commitment to its 2% inflation target, despite softer June inflation data. Policymakers warned that higher oil prices, tariffs and strong AI-driven demand could reignite inflation, increasing the likelihood of future interest rate hikes if economic conditions deteriorate. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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GRUESOME HARASSMENT PARCELS COST EBAY R835 MILLION
Global online platform eBay will pay nearly $50 million to (about R835 million) settle a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts couple David and Ina Steiner after former employees allegedly terrorised them with gruesome anonymous deliveries. The packages included live cockroaches, live spiders, a bloody pig Halloween mask, a funeral wreath and a book about surviving the death of a spouse. The campaign also involved death threats, cyberstalking and surveillance after the couple's newsletter reported critically on the e-commerce giant. The settlement totals $48.7 million in compensation, plus $7 million for charities supporting First Amendment rights. Most employees involved previously pleaded guilty to cyberstalking-related offences. (SOURCE: AP)
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You will never feel proud of your work if you find no joy within it; your best work is always joyful work.
Stevie Wonder |
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| Dollar | R16.69
| - 0.10% | | Pound | R22.26
| + 0.06% | | Euro | R19.11
| + 0.01% | | Yen | 0.101923 |
| | Yuan | R2.47 | - 0.26% | | Bitcoin | $ 63 914.32 | + 0.67% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 587.85 | - 1.72% | | Gold | $ 4 037.08
| - 0.71% | | Oil | $ 93.18 | + 2.92% | | All Share | 110 440.21
| + 0.49% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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