| HUMAN BEHAVIOUR DRIVES KZN ROAD TOLL TO 5-YEAR HIGH |
The recklessness of road users is the overriding reason for the surge in KZN vehicle crashes in 2025. Pic credit: The Witness
Reckless driving, speeding, drunk driving, and distracted behaviour are fuelling KwaZulu-Natal’s worst road death crisis in five years, with 997 fatal crashes and 1 140 deaths recorded in the first seven months of 2025. Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa says human error remains the main culprit, costing the economy R200 billion annually. Nationally, 44.8% of fatalities are pedestrians, with eThekwini topping KZN’s grim list. Most deadly crashes happen on weekends between 5 pm and 9 pm. Government’s revised three-pronged road safety strategy aims to halve fatalities by 2030 through safer systems, social change, and evidence-based interventions. |
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| Showcase your brand at the Xtec PMCB Golf Day on Friday, 29 August, at the Victoria Country Club. Enjoy a 4-ball alliance format, teeing off from 11 am with green fees, drinks, dinner, and prizes included at one of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business' highlight events. Sponsorship opportunities include tee and putting greens, giving your company prime exposure. Prizes will reward winning teams and sponsors. Contact Heidi Jadoo on (033) 345 2747 or at pmcb@pmcb.org.za. |
| KENYAN INTRIGUE ADDS MORE DRAMA TO AFRIKANER 'REFUGEES' SAGA |
1882: Cetshwayo, travelled to London to request that he should be restored as a king of the Zulu Kingdom.
Elsewhere, in 2016, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won the 100-metres at the Rio de Janeiro Games, becoming the first athlete to win the event in three consecutive Olympics.
Mind the scales on World Lizard Day.
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AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR REELING FROM CLOSURES, TARIFFS, IMPORTS
South Africa’s automotive industry has suffered 12 company closures and over 4 000 job losses in two years due to low local sales, high imports and stagnant localisation, Trade Minister Parks Tau said yesterday. Last year, only 515 850 locally made vehicles were sold, far below the 2035 target of 784 509. Imports account for 64% of sales, while local content remains stuck at 39%, short of the 60% goal. US tariffs now threaten R28.7 billion in automotive exports, prompting South Africa to submit a revised trade deal proposal.
Tau said a 5% increase in local content could unlock R30 billion in procurement. Incentives now include electric vehicles, with Stellantis and China’s Chery planning local production, signalling potential recovery if localisation targets are met. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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… AS GQEBERHA PARTS SUPPLIER FACES R750 MILLION RUIN
Gqeberha-based Jendamark Automation, a leading manufacturer of automated assembly lines for catalytic converters, engines, and axles, faces losing R750 million in US contracts due to rising tariffs. The 40-year-old company, which exports 85% of its products - half to the US - counts BMW and Mercedes-Benz among its clients. Operations director Siegfried Lokotsch fears the American orders are effectively gone, with tariffs making deals unviable. While Jendamark is seeking new markets like Saudi Arabia, replacing such a significant share of business will be challenging. The firm warns that understanding and penetrating alternative markets takes time, leaving a major gap in its export portfolio. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
… AND ETHEKWINI WOOS TOYOTA WITH R450 MILLION ROAD UPGRADE
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Durban and KZN, pledging continued investment in its Prospecton manufacturing hub. At a high-level meeting with eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, TSAM CEO Andrew Kirby discussed infrastructure upgrades essential for industrial growth, including R450 million in road projects, water pipeline replacements, and R120 million in sewer network and pump station repairs. Power substation refurbishments are also underway. Despite past flood damage, TSAM remains committed, contributing R18 billion in national taxes and over R6 million in municipal rates annually. Both parties vowed to fast-track projects to bolster local manufacturing and economic growth. (SAGovNews) |
LAST-DITCH TALKS TO SAVE 3 500 JOBS AT NEWCASTLE STEEL MILL
South Africa is in urgent talks with ArcelorMittal SA over the future of its loss-making steel mill in Newcastle. The Industrial Development Corporation and trade department are exploring options to prevent closure, which could impact 3 500 direct jobs and thousands more in dependent industries. The mill produces specialized long-steel products vital to automotive, mining, and construction sectors, not locally replicated. Challenges include high power costs, import competition, and scrap metal pricing disparities. ArcelorMittal has set a September 30 closure date unless a solution emerges. The mill’s struggles reflect broader sector difficulties, with the company reporting a 31% share decline this year. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
SALGA JOINS ESKOM AGAINST PRIVATE TRADING LICENCES
The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has backed Eskom’s court challenge against Nersa’s approval of private electricity trading licences before finalising clear rules. Salga warns that premature approvals threaten municipal revenue, service delivery, and constitutional powers, allowing traders to target lucrative clients without universal service obligations. This, it says, risks worsening the municipal debt crisis, now exceeding R100 billion, and undermining cross-subsidies for poorer customers. Salga urges Nersa to pause approvals until a regulatory framework - covering eligibility, debt recovery, and fair competition - is complete. Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has urged Eskom to suspend litigation, with the framework timeline shortened to three months. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
NEDBANK BUYS IKHOKHA FOR R1.65 BILLION IN SMME PLAY
Nedbank has agreed to acquire Durban-based fintech iKhokha for R1.65 billion in an all-cash deal, pending regulatory approval. Founded in 2012 by Matt Putman, Ramsay Daly and Clive Putman, iKhokha offers mobile point-of-sale devices and a business management app for SMEs. Nedbank plans to integrate iKhokha’s payment technology with its banking infrastructure to deliver enhanced services for small businesses, potentially expanding into other African markets. The deal provides an exit for investors Apis Partners, Crossfin Holdings and the International Finance Corporation. Executives from both companies say the partnership will create a highly competitive SME value proposition and boost financial inclusion. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
SA OFFERS EXPORTER COLLABORATION TO EASE TARIFF PAIN
South Africa’s trade department has proposed regulations allowing exporters to collaborate in response to the US’s 30% tariffs on local imports. The rules, open for public comment and valid for five years, permit companies to share shipping and marketing costs, jointly build export infrastructure, and negotiate export protocols - without violating antitrust laws. Aimed at cushioning the economic impact, the measures seek to protect jobs in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture and automotive manufacturing. The US, South Africa’s second-largest trade partner after China, poses a significant risk to export revenue. All collaborations will require prior approval from South Africa’s competition authorities. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
RAMAPHOSA URGES GLOBAL INVESTORS TO FOCUS ON WATER
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged global investors to prioritise funding for African water infrastructure, highlighting a $30 billion (about R530 billion) annual investment gap. Speaking at the AU’s first Water Investment Programme Summit in Cape Town, he stressed that water projects must be central to climate and finance talks, with funding tracked and sustained through permanent global mechanisms. The summit, attended by 38 African water ministers and international leaders, showcased 80 priority projects from 38 countries. Ramaphosa cited the Zuikerbosch water purification plant’s second phase, set to supply 600 million litres daily to four provinces, as proof of Africa’s capacity for mega water projects. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
COURT POURS COLD WATER ON 'FLAWED' OFFSHORE EXPLORATION
The Western Cape High Court has overturned TotalEnergies SE’s environmental authorisation for its offshore oil exploration Block 5/6/7 along the west coast. The court ruled that the environmental impact assessment was “deeply flawed,” failing to address key environmental risks, legal requirements, and public participation, according to environmental group Green Connection. Total must reapply and conduct proper public consultation before proceeding. The decision adds to a series of court victories by environmental organisations that have blocked offshore exploration in South Africa. Total and Shell are seeking to expand exploration following 2022 discoveries off Namibia, a growing hotspot for oil activity. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
LOCAL FOOD BRANDS LACK SCALE TO COMPETE ON GLOBAL STAGE
No South African brands feature in the 2025 global ranking of the world’s 100 most valuable food brands, worth a combined $250.8 billion (about R4.4 trillion). Brand Finance data shows Nestlé leads at $20 billion, ahead of Lay’s ($12.7 billion) and China’s Yili ($11.2 billion). The top 10 brands, including Tyson, Danone, Kellogg’s, Doritos, Barilla, and Lindt, account for 35% of total brand value. Analysts say local brands lack the scale and reach to compete internationally, despite strong domestic reputations. In drinks, Coca-Cola retains the crown at $46.3 billion, more than double Pepsi’s value, while US brands dominate two-thirds of the ranking. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
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Choose to focus your time, energy and conversation around people who inspire you, support you and help you to grow you into your happiest, strongest, wisest self.
Karen Salmansohn |
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