| PETROL UP R4.74/L, DIESEL UP R7.83/L AT MIDNIGHT AS SUPPLIES FALTER |
South African fuel prices will spike dramatically at midnight with 95-octane petrol rising R4.74/litre, 93-octane by R4.27/litre, and 50ppm diesel by R7.83/litre, according to the Retail Motor Industry Organisation. The hikes, driven by high global oil prices and a weaker Rand, are excacerbated by the tumoil in the Middle East and the domino effect of restricted crude supplies.
Panic buying ahead of the surge has left 143 stations without diesel and 136 without petrol, creating long queues and straining logistics. Experts warn that the shortage may delay deliveries and push up transport and food costs. Retailers and government are scrambling to restore supply and stabilise the market. (SOURCE: BDLive/News24/Moneyweb)
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| MANAGING SOCIAL STYLES WORKSHOP BOOSTS TEAM EFFECTIVENESS |
Dale Nadasan (right) holding court at the Marketing Mix session. Picture by Lethiwe Zondi.
A workshop to Unlock the Power of Working with Different Social Styles last week equipped participants with the skills to decode personalities and enhance workplace collaboration. Presented by Dale Nadasan, the Marketing Mix session explored social styles and identified drivers, analyticals, amiables, and expressives among work colleagues and showed attendees how to adapt communication. Outcomes included improved teamwork, stronger relationships, and greater confidence in influencing others. The session highlighted how awareness of social styles can transform organisational culture, fostering inclusivity, engagement, and mutual respect across diverse teams. Click here for the 2026 programme of networks and forums. |
| WTO RELEVANCE UNDER PRESSURE AFTER MORATORIUM FAILURE |
Global trade is facing a turbulent future following the deadlock of World Trade Organisation negotiations in Yaounde in Cameroon yesterday. At issue was the failure to extend a moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions, allowing countries to impose duties on digital goods such as streaming and downloads. The proposal was supported by a coaltion of 226 organisations globally, including the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, that warned a failing WTO could slash developing economies’ GDP by over 5%. The failure of the measure has cast doubt on the WTO’s relevance amid rising unilateralism and fragmented trade rules. Business leaders warn that uncertainty threatens investment, disrupts digital trade, and hampers SMMEs’ access to global markets, underscoring the urgent need for predictable, transparent rules in 21st-century commerce.
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1961: South Africa became a republic.
Elsewhere, in 1889, the 300-metre Eiffel Tower was inaugurated to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
Don’t lose your data, it’s World Backup Day. |
ILLEGAL SAND MINING SYNDICATES STRAIN SUPPLY CHAINS
A surge in illegal sand mining is tightening pressure on South Africa’s construction supply chains, driven by organised criminal syndicates, informal diggers and complicit buyers. In KZN, black-market networks reportedly sell truckloads for up to R5 000, bypassing permits and tax. Extraction along riverbanks is accelerating erosion, damaging ecosystems and threatening water security, while undercutting legitimate suppliers and distorting prices.
Rural communities are losing agricultural livelihoods as land degrades. Authorities warn weak enforcement enables coordinated operations spanning excavation, transport and sales. With illegal mining nationally linked to about 30 000 operators across 200 groups, the unchecked trade risks long-term harm to infrastructure delivery, environmental sustainability and economic stability. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS CIVIL CONSTRUCTION CONFIDENCE INDEX SLIPS
The Civil Confidence Index, compiled by FNB and the Bureau for Economic Research, fell to 43 in Q1 2026, down from 52 in Q4 2025. More than 55% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with prevailing conditions, citing delayed payments, lack of tenders, and limited energy-grid investment. Despite weaker sentiment, civil construction activity remains broadly positive, with order books stable and real investment down only 0.2% year-on-year in Q4 2025. Analysts expect activity to recover next quarter, though growth may remain constrained by structural and logistical challenges within the sector. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
DURBAN PORT SET FOR R1 BILLION FRESH PRODUCE, BREAK-BULK UPGRADE
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has finalised agreements with African Port Logistics and Infrastructure and BAL SA & Africa Global Logistics Consortium at Durban’s Maydon Wharf precinct, unlocking over R1 billion in private investment. African Port Logistics will invest R250 million to handle fresh produce and break-bulk cargo, while BAL SA & Africa Global Logistics Consortium commits R810 million for a multi-purpose terminal. The 25-year brownfield concessions allow operators to finance, build, operate, and maintain upgraded facilities, boosting South Africa’s food security, trade competitiveness, and inclusive economic growth through opportunities for black-owned enterprises and previously disadvantaged participants. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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FUEL LEVY POWERS FACE CRUCIAL LEGAL TEST
National Treasury faces a pivotal legal challenge over its authority to raise the fuel levy, with the Economic Freedom Fighters seeking a court order to limit the fiscus’ powers. The move follows a high court ruling that curbed government’s ability to adjust VAT without full parliamentary approval, raising broader constitutional questions. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana, who traditionally announces levy hikes in the Budget, could see this discretion constrained. The EFF argues such increases bypass adequate legislative oversight. A ruling against Treasury may reduce fiscal flexibility, complicate revenue collection, and reshape how government responds to fuel price shocks and budget pressures. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
60% PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS FACE NUTRITION CHALLENGES
South Africa’s child poverty crisis remains acute, with over 60% of children considered multi-dimensionally deprived and nearly two-thirds living below the upper-bound poverty line. Primary school learners are among the worst affected, facing shortages in nutrition, learning resources and basic services. While the child support grant, currently about R530 per month, has kept many above extreme poverty, it falls short of meeting food needs, with millions of children still experiencing hunger. Studies show around 1 in 5 children live in households reporting regular food shortages. Economists warn this entrenches inequality, undermines education outcomes and weakens long-term economic growth and workforce potential. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
CARTRACK ON THE HOOK FOR R10 MILLION OVER COMPLAINTS
Cartrack has agreed to pay about R10 million in fines and settlements following a wave of customer complaints over unclear contract terms and compensation issues. The deal includes a R5 million administrative penalty and roughly R5.1 million refunded to 167 disgruntled clients after the National Consumer Commission and other watchdogs flagged vague fine‑print practices. Affected customers said they were charged excessive fees or denied fair redress, prompting regulatory action. Cartrack has also committed to revise its terms and conditions and improve transparency in pricing and service agreements to prevent further disputes. (SOURCE: News24) |
... AS LIQUI FRUIT SUFFERS NOTHING BUT FRUIT SETBACK
Liqui Fruit has been ordered again to remove or amend its Nothing But Fruit slogan after the Advertising Regulatory Board ruled the claim misleading. The board found the trademark wrongly implied the juice contains only fruit, despite added flavourants and preservatives. The ruling follows a previous directive to drop local‑sourcing claims and comes amid ongoing consumer disputes over marketing accuracy. Brand owner PepsiCo (via Pioneer Foods) argued the phrase was a long‑standing hyperbolic trademark, not literal truth, but regulators said consumer impression matters. This latest decision tightens scrutiny on beverage labelling. (SOURCE: News24) |
H&M CUTS STORES IN AFRICA TO FOCUS ON DIGITAL GROWTH
Clothing retailer H&M is shrinking its physical store footprint while accelerating expansion into new markets, reflecting a shift in global retail strategy. The group is closing underperforming outlets, with Africa among the regions hardest hit, as it prioritises efficiency and digital growth. Despite the contraction, H&M continues to invest in emerging markets and e-commerce platforms to drive sales. The retailer says evolving consumer behaviour, rising costs and geopolitical pressures are reshaping operations. By balancing closures with targeted expansion, H&M aims to remain competitive, streamline costs and align its global presence with changing shopping patterns and long-term growth opportunities. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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GOLD FINDS NEW FOOTING AMID ESCALATING MIDEAST CONFLICT
Spot gold steadied around $4 491 an ounce after recovering from early losses, marking its first weekly gain since the Middle East conflict began. Dip-buyers supported prices even as oil surged and equities declined. The war’s fifth week, including Iran-backed Houthi involvement and new US troop deployments, has heightened fears of escalation, power outages, and economic disruption. Gold has fallen about 14% since late February, pressured by potential central-bank sales and inflation concerns. Analysts note economic slowdown risks could keep Treasury yields low, supporting bullion demand. Silver, platinum, and palladium also edged higher amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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SWEET TOOTH BANDITS STRIKE 12-TONNE KITKAT GOLDMINE
Chocolate thieves have pulled off a heist worthy of dessert legend, making off with 12 tonnes of KitKat in a European truck raid. The haul, enough to trigger a continent-wide sugar rush, vanished before anyone could say “have a break.” Authorities suspect an organised operation, though motives remain deliciously unclear — black market snacking or a very ambitious vending machine refill. Logistics experts note such cargo thefts are rising, but few cases carry this much wafer-thin irony. Police are now hunting suspects who clearly took the slogan too seriously - and decided to take everyone else’s break, too. (SOURCE: AFP)
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Concentration is the ability to think about absolutely nothing when it is absolutely necessary.
Ray Knight |
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| Dollar | R17.12 | + 0.38% | | Pound | R22.59
| + 0.29% | | Euro | R19.62 | + 0.39% | | Yen | 0.107190 |
| | Yuan | R2.48
| + 0.25% | | Bitcoin | 67 371.57
| + 0.94% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 909.47 | + 4.63% | | Gold | $ 4 558.86
| + 0.97% | | Oil | $ 107.46
| - 4.72% | | All Share | 112 418.23
| + 0.57% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
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