| MINIMUM R2/L FUEL INCREASES ON THE CARDS FOR APRIL |
South Africans face a sharp fuel price shock in April as petrol is expected to rise between R2 and R4 per litre amid soaring global oil prices and a weakening Rand. The escalating Middle East conflict has disrupted oil supplies, grounding airlines and stranding thousands of travelers. Stanlib chief economist Kevin Lings said daily under-recoveries have hit 185c/l for petrol and 354c/l for diesel, adding inflationary pressure. Brent crude has surged 30.9% year-to-date, while SA’s fuel inflation lagged at -10.9% in February 2025. Combined with levies, these hikes could push CPI higher, jeopardising planned interest rate cuts and straining the economy. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
See below: Mideast turmoil to upend business confidence |
| WORLD’S LARGEST LABYRINTH TO BOOST MIDLANDS APPEAL |
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The award-winning gardens of Brahman Hills will be enhanced further by its multi-million Rand Serenity Garden.
Brahman Hills, a landmark destination in the Midlands, has unveiled plans for a multi-million Rand project, Serenity Garden, to feature what will become the world’s largest labyrinth alongside a first-of-its-kind spa in Africa. The 22-hectare development also includes an underground orchid house, curated olive groves, a 9-metre waterfall, and expansive landscaped spaces designed for reflection and immersive nature experiences. Construction of 5km of interconnected walkways is underway, with steel and earthworks in place for key paths linking garden features.
Scheduled to open late this year, the project has already generated employment and will continue creating skilled and semi-skilled roles in garden management, visitor services, hospitality, and maintenance. Brahman Hills CEO Orrin Cottle says the sanctuary is designed not as a high-volume attraction, but a space for quiet reflection, reconnecting guests with nature, art, and themselves, while boosting tourism, property values, and regional economic activity. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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| SMME CALL TO ENTER R1 MILLION BAMBELELA AWARDS |
| The Hollywood Foundation invites KZN small, medium and micro enterprises to enter the 2026 Bambelela Business Awards. Winners will share R1 million in funding and gain exposure, support, and growth opportunities. A two-day programme later in the year includes an exhibition and seminar for shortlisted businesses to pitch ideas to judges. Applications close on 2 April. Apply here. |
1916: SA troops invaded East Africa in their confrontation with German forces in World War I.
1953: Soviet premier Joseph Stalin died at age 74.
Deeply ironic at this time of Mideast turmoil, but today is observed as International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness. |
PROPOSED AI DATA CENTRE TO DRAW 25% OF DURBAN POWER
The eThekwini Municipality has approved plans for a massive 400MW artificial intelligence data centre that could consume about 25% of the city’s current electricity supply. The project, a public-private partnership with a South Korean power consortium, is estimated to cost at least R49 billion.
Planned for a 5ha site near the Lovu River mouth, close to the Amanzimtoti Cable Landing Station linked to the 2Africa submarine cable, the facility would be South Africa’s largest digital hub. With municipal electricity demand currently around 1 600MW, the proposed 400MW capacity highlights the significant energy and water demands of AI-driven infrastructure. (SOURCE: Daily Maverick)
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FAILING MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE BLAMED FOR WATER CRISIS
South Africa’s water crisis is caused primarily by failing municipal infrastructure rather than scarcity. Recent assessments show about 47% of treated water is lost before reaching consumers due to leaks, ageing pipelines, illegal connections, and poor maintenance, far above the global 30% average, said engineering firm Avenir Holdings CEO Tshidi Mndzebele. .Municipalities lost R14.89 billion in one year, while government estimates R400 billion is needed to rehabilitate systems nationwide. Experts urge immediate interventions like pressure management, advanced leak detection, smart monitoring, and structured maintenance planning. Prioritising engineering solutions and professional infrastructure management could stabilise supply, restore water security, and protect economic activity before building new dams or pipelines. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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… AS 100 MILLION LITRE UMKHOMAZI PLANT GETS UNDERWAY
Construction of a 100 million litre water treatment plant at the Lower uMkhomazi project in KZN is set to begin next month, following a court ruling on 13 February allowing uMngeni-uThukela Water to proceed after a bidder challenged the contract award. The plant forms part of the broader uMkhomazi dam initiative, which includes the Ngwadini Dam (63% complete) and Goodenough abstraction works (over 90% complete). Minister Pemmy Majodina said the project will deliver long-term potable water to eThekwini, Ilembe, Ugu, Harry Gwala, and uMgungundlovu municipalities, while interim package plants may assist communities during construction. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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… AND FINANCIERS PLAN R2 BILLION WATER CONSERVATION BOND
South African financiers are preparing a R2 billion bond to fund water conservation projects targeting strategic catchments. Backed by Rand Merchant Bank and Development Bank of Southern Africa, the five-year facility links returns to measurable environmental outcomes, financing invasive plant removal and ecological restoration. Climate finance specialist Mookho Mathaba says the bond will enhance water security and protect catchments. With South Africa facing an annual R91 billion funding gap in water infrastructure, private-sector initiatives like this complement public investment and signal growing emphasis on nature-based solutions to tackle the nation’s worsening water scarcity. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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MIDEAST TURMOIL TO UPEND RISING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
Escalating conflict in the Middle East is expected to challenge South Africa’s recently rising business confidence, as surging global oil prices, higher fuel costs, and inflationary pressures threaten investor sentiment and operating conditions. Earlier in Q1 2026, confidence had strengthened, supported by a well-received State of the Nation Address and a smoother National Budget process. The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index rose three points to 47, the highest since 2015 excluding post-pandemic spikes, while manufacturing confidence lagged at 30 amid weak demand. The survey, conducted between 12 and 23 February, predates the Middle East turmoil. Analysts caution that ongoing geopolitical risks could undermine investment planning, increase costs, and create uncertainty, potentially reversing the confidence gains achieved earlier this year. (SOURCE: BDLive/Bloomberg)
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NEW TRACK-AND-TRACE DRIVE TARGETS ILLICIT CIGARETTES
A renewed push is under way to introduce a national track-and-trace system for cigarettes in South Africa, aimed at curbing a booming illicit trade now estimated at 58%–60% of total cigarette sales. Research by the University of Cape Town suggests the fiscus is losing between R18bn and R27bn a year in unpaid excise and VAT. A digital system would track every pack from factory to retailer, enabling South African Revenue Service (SARS) to detect tax evasion and counterfeit products in real time. Treasury has previously indicated that even a modest recovery of lost revenue could add billions annually. Disputes remain over accreditation, costs and independent oversight. (SOURCE: News24)
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LOTTERY FRAUDSTERS ON THE HOOK FOR R14 MILLION
Two lottery fraudsters have been ordered to personally repay more than R14 million siphoned from grant funding intended for community upliftment projects. The ruling holds the individuals - brothers Tshimangadzo and Ndoweni Mukutu - directly liable, piercing the corporate veil of the entities used to channel the funds. The court found that public money meant for charitable distribution was diverted for private benefit, constituting fraud and breach of fiduciary duties. The repayment order strengthens efforts to recover misappropriated National Lottery funds and sends a warning to directors and trustees that they can be held personally accountable. (SOURCE: GroundUp)
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… AS TRANSNET SUSPENDS 9 STAFF IN SUPPLIER FRAUD PROBE
Transnet has suspended nine employees implicated in alleged collusion with suppliers, marking what it describes as a decisive step to strengthen governance and accountability. Disciplinary hearings have begun for three officials, with further charges pending. The company has also initiated processes to blacklist implicated suppliers and engaged law enforcement agencies. An internal investigation involving 34 audits across two operating divisions uncovered overcharging of between 50% and 1 000% on various items during the 2024/25 financial year. Group chief executive Michelle Phillips reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, saying systemic reforms are under way to prevent recurrence. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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AFRICAN DOLLAR BONDS REBOUND ON WAR VOLATILITY
Spreads on African dollar bonds tightened yesterday with the risk premium over US Treasuries narrowing to 344 basis points from 367bp, according to JPMorgan. The move retraced sharp losses triggered by the escalating conflict involving Iran. African Dollar issuance has reached $5.95 billion (about R100 billion) this year - more than triple 2025 levels - with sales from Kenya, Ivory Coast and others. Investors such as VanEck say volatility may offer buying opportunities, though analysts caution new deals could be delayed for weeks. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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... AS S&P MAP BLUNDERS SPARK AFRICA RATINGS BACKLASH
S&P Global Ratings is under fire after mislabelling African countries in a recent sovereign debt report covering 27 states. The agency incorrectly labelled Burundi as Uganda and depicted Sudan and South Sudan as one country, despite rating Uganda for 18 years. It also referred to the Republic of Congo as Congo Brazzaville. Misheck Mutize of the African Peer Review Mechanism criticised the errors, questioning the agency’s quality controls. S&P corrected the Uganda/Burundi error on March 3. The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of credit ratings agencies and Africa’s high sovereign borrowing costs. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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RISING OIL COSTS TO SPUR GLOBAL INFLATION
A Bloomberg survey shows economists expect global inflation to accelerate due to the ongoing Iran war, while growth prospects remain largely stable. About 50% of respondents foresee faster inflation in the US and eurozone, with nearly 40% expecting a rise in China, reflecting a 0.3–0.9 percentage-point increase in consumer prices. The main driver is surging oil and gas costs as the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a fifth of seaborne oil, is effectively blocked. Higher transport and distribution costs could add pressure. Impact on GDP is minimal for now, but prolonged conflict may hurt importers like China, Europe, and India. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS BITCOIN RECOVERS AMID IRANIAN CONFLICT
Bitcoin has stabilised above $70 000 (about R1,15 million) as markets recover from volatility caused by the Iran conflict, which has disrupted trade and stoked inflation fears. The cryptocurrency traded above $72 500 in Singapore this morning, rebounding after a 1.4% dip following an 8% rise Wednesday during US hours. Stocks also recovered, with Korea’s Kospi up 11% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising 4.2%. Investors are shifting toward accommodative financial expectations amid macro uncertainty. Bitcoin has outperformed gold since the Middle East strikes, rising nearly 12% while gold fell 2%. Analysts say the conflict has renewed bullish sentiment in crypto markets.
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3D Printing — Start Small. Think Big. |
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You don’t need a seven-figure budget or a dedicated facility to start 3D printing like a professional.
For South African SMEs watching Rand volatility and import costs, there’s good news: the barriers that kept this capability out of reach have simply fallen away.
A Bambu Lab P series runs on standard power - no special electrical requirements. It fits on a desk. We’ve had clients in KZN producing their first usable parts within a week of unboxing, though your learning curve depends on your CAD experience and application complexity.
Start with one machine. Test it on real problems in your environment. Learn what works for your applications. Scale when it makes sense.
There’s no pressure to commit to a fleet of equipment or a full additive manufacturing strategy. Begin with a specific application - prototyping, tooling, replacement parts - and see what happens.
What matters is making an informed decision based on your own experience, not assumptions from years ago.
If you’re curious whether this fits your business, we’d be happy to have an honest conversation.
Contact Rapid 3D for application-specific guidance.
Let’s talk: david@rapid3d.co.za |
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AI is a tool. The choice about how it gets deployed is ours.
Oren Etzioni |
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