| ENOUGH, SAYS JUDGE AS PORRITT WANTS 12-YEAR DEFENCE |
Twenty years into the Tigon saga, long-suffering Judge Brian Spilg appears to have finally drawn a line in the sand. Gary Porritt’s proposed defence timetable - five years for witnesses, followed by seven years for the accused - was deemed a “vexatious” stratagem. At this rate, even the judge’s retirement plans might need a postponement.
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| JOHN DORY'S GOLDEN HORSE HOOKS PEOPLE POWER ACCOLADE |
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Operator Lizz Capazorio and Leonard Coetzee, the Group Operations Executive at John Dorys Head Office with the award.
The John Dory’s outlet at the Golden Horse Casino won a prestigious national award that recognises the restaurant as the Best Investor in People for the 2026 financial year.
The award acknowledges the restaurant’s outstanding commitment to its people by achieving the highest training attendance and training spend nationally during the 2026 financial year. The accolade also places John Dory’s at the Golden Horse Casino among the top-performing restaurants across South Africa.
The selection process was based on 12 months of training data submitted by the John Dory’s Pod Training Department, with restaurants evaluated according to both training participation and investment. The recognition formed part of John Dory’s annual awards, which also celebrated performance in areas including customer experience, profitability, growth, operations, local marketing, transformation, controls, complaints and training.
“The award highlights our commitment to developing its people and building a strong culture of continuous learning,” said franchise operator Lizz Capazorio.
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| ENTREPRENEURIAL DILEMMA: BALANCING RISK AND REWARD |
A major corporate contract lands on your desk. The revenue looks tempting, the volume promises growth, and turning it down feels almost impossible. But what if winning the deal costs more than it brings in? For entrepreneurs, the real dilemma is not whether a big client can drive growth, but whether the business is ready for the demands that come with it - and whether that growth can actually be sustained.
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1985: US President Ronald Reagan reversed his earlier stance on South Africa and agreed to limited sanctions.
Elsewhere, in 2015, Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning monarch in British history, surpassing Queen Victoria’s reign of 63 years and 216 days.
Fans of the number-placement puzzle are bound to observe International Sudoku Day with an extra game or two. |
SOLAR POWER ROLL-OUT RAISES HOME FIRE RISK 25%
Solar systems are increasingly powering South African homes, but they are also featuring more prominently in structural fires. Fire Ops SA says batteries, inverters and related solar equipment are now linked to 25% of all structural fires it responds to.
With about 675 000 homes having solar installations, up 86% in three years, the risk is growing alongside adoption. Fires can result from faulty batteries, inverter failures, loose wiring, poor connections or substandard installation. Lithium-ion battery fires are particularly dangerous because thermal runaway can produce extreme heat, toxic gases and reignition.
Homeowners are urged to use qualified installers, obtain valid electrical Certificates of Compliance, maintain systems annually and install smoke detectors near solar equipment. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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ECONOMY SHRINKS 0.2% AS IRAN WAR TAKES ITS TOLL
South Africa’s economy contracted 0.2% in Q2 2026, ending six consecutive quarters of growth as the Iran war compounded already weak domestic demand and business confidence. Mining, trade and manufacturing - together accounting for almost a third of GDP — fell 3%, 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively. Higher fuel and commodity prices, disrupted global trade and weaker manufacturing activity all contributed to the setback. Manufacturing was already in recession, with Stats SA citing multiple pressures weighing on output. The contraction was worse than economists’ 0.1% forecast and leaves the government of national unity facing another challenge to its promise of faster economic growth. With local government elections approaching, the disappointing figures could further sour economic sentiment. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
See below: Nigerian refinery fueling Europe as war bites |
BOSSES POCKETING PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS IN FOR A SHOCK
Employers who pocket pension contributions instead of paying them over may soon discover that responsibility can land personally at the top. The Pension Funds Adjudicator plans to use its powers more aggressively against directors, owners and other “responsible persons” behind unpaid contributions. More than half of complaints involve contribution failures, while employers owe an estimated R8.3 billion. Local government alone accounts for almost R2 billion, effectively making workers pay for someone else’s accounting shortcomings. The adjudicator also plans greater use of subpoenas to force uncooperative parties to provide information or appear before it. In short, ignoring those increasingly stern letters may no longer be quite the clever strategy it once seemed. Directors, consider this your friendly reminder. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS RETIREMENT FUNDS FACE NEW VALUE FOR MONEY TEST
South Africa’s retirement funds are about to face closer scrutiny over whether members are getting enough bang for their buck. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority plans to introduce a value-for-money framework assessing fees, returns, costs and overall member outcomes. The regulator says high costs and inefficiencies can significantly erode retirement savings over time, while a fragmented market and poor information make comparisons difficult. The framework will use familiar measures such as return on investment and total expense ratios to improve transparency and identify underperforming funds. With an estimated R88 billion in unclaimed benefits also in play, the message is increasingly clear: retirement savings are too valuable to quietly leak away in fees, inefficiency and neglect. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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SARS HUNTS ONE-CENT DEBT WITH FULL ARSENAL
SARS’s formidable collection machinery may be working a little too efficiently. One taxpayer received a final demand for the princely sum of one cent, complete with options to dispute, defer or compromise the debt. While amusing, such automated demands can trigger serious enforcement powers, including recovering money directly from bank accounts or salaries. It highlights the downside of an increasingly technology-driven tax authority: impressive data systems still need a human with enough common sense to ask whether chasing one cent is worth the paperwork. SARS collected more than R2 trillion in 2025/26, but perhaps one cent should be where the line is drawn. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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BALWIN TO BID JSE FAREWELL ON 22 SEPTEMBER
Balwin Properties is heading back into private hands, with all conditions now satisfied for a consortium comprising the Public Investment Corporation and the developer’s founder investors to acquire the company. The R4.35-a-share offer values Balwin at about R2.26 billion. The residential property developer will be delisted from both the JSE and A2X on September 22. The consortium argued that remaining listed was no longer compelling, citing limited share liquidity, Balwin’s discount to underlying net asset value and the costs of maintaining a listed structure. After more than a decade on the JSE, Balwin’s market journey is ending — proving that sometimes property developers prefer building behind closed doors. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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REGULATOR SMACKS DOWN SENSODYNE'S DENTIST CLAIM
Sensodyne has suffered another setback in South Africa’s ongoing toothpaste advertising battle after losing a dispute over claims involving dentists. The company’s marketing suggested that dentists recommended or preferred its products, prompting a challenge from rival toothpaste brands. Advertising regulators found the claim could mislead consumers and ordered Sensodyne to withdraw or amend the offending advertising. The ruling highlights the increasingly competitive fight between major oral-care brands over market share and advertising credibility. Sensodyne, a leading sensitive-teeth toothpaste brand, has previously faced similar challenges concerning its dentist-related marketing claim. (SOURCE: News24)
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CHERRIES CRACK CHINESE NOD AS BLUEBERRIES WAIT IN WINGS
South African cherry producers have gained first-time access to China, opening a potentially lucrative new export market. Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp signed the landmark sanitary and phytosanitary protocol with Chinese customs officials in Beijing. China imported 586 900 tonnes of cherries worth $3.3 billion (R52.8 billion) in 2025, making it the world’s largest cherry importer. The agreement also benefits from a framework providing South Africa with 0% tariff access to China. Attention is now turning to blueberries, with negotiations at an advanced stage. China has submitted a draft import protocol, and South Africa aims to finalise the agreement before year-end, potentially giving another local fruit industry access to a huge market. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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NIGERIAN REFINERY FUELING EUROPE AS WAR BITES
Nigeria’s giant Dangote refinery is running flat out at 700 000 barrels a day, supplying Europe with diesel and jet fuel as the Iran war disrupts Middle Eastern exports. Europe’s fuel squeeze has pushed diesel premiums to their highest level in at least 15 years, creating a lucrative opportunity for Africa’s biggest refinery. Dangote says it is maximising production of the most profitable fuels and plans to double capacity to 1.4 million barrels a day by 2029. The timing is particularly fortuitous, with the refinery’s 14 September IPO set to become Africa’s biggest share sale. War may be devastating, but for Dangote, margins are looking decidedly less painful. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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CANADA STRIKES BACK WITH TARIFFS ON R320 BILLION US TRADE
Canada has retaliated against the United States with tariffs covering about $20 billion (about R320 billion) of American goods, escalating a trade confrontation between the two close allies. Prime Minister Mark Carney says US demands threaten key Canadian industries and the country’s independence, while President Donald Trump continues to threaten further tariffs and restrictions. The dispute could have consequences beyond North America, as Canada’s resistance becomes a test of whether smaller economies can withstand US economic pressure. With deeply integrated supply chains, particularly in vehicles, steel and agriculture, both countries face potentially significant economic costs if tensions intensify. (SOURCE: AP)
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GLOBAL FOOD PRICES HIT HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE 2022
Global food prices climbed to their highest level since late 2022 in August, as geopolitical tensions, extreme weather and supply concerns fuelled fears of further increases. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s food-price index rose 1.9% from July, led by grains, sugar and dairy. Wheat prices increased 2.6%, while sugar surged 11.9%. Black Sea tensions are threatening grain exports from Ukraine, while poor European harvests could increase import demand. An unusually powerful El Niño also threatens further disruption to global crops. The Bloomberg Agriculture Spot Index, tracking 10 major commodities, jumped more than 13% in August, its biggest monthly gain since July 2012. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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KZN LEAN CONFERENCE 2026
The Mistakes that Make us Better - Improving systems, Leadership Behaviours and How People Respond when Things go Wrong
How do you promote a "react less, improve more" data-driven approach that interprets metrics accurately without overreacting to normal variation (noise) and shift leadership focus from merely enforcing tools to developing people, engaging teams, and building robust systems?
Our globally respected keynote speaker, Lean Expert and International Lean Leadership Consultant Mark Graban, will teach us how.
Mark holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is a Fellow in the MIT Sloan Leaders for Global Operations Programme.
His work draws on a deep education in engineering and management, combined with hands-on experience working with executives and frontline employees across multiple industries. He has worked for several notable manufacturing, technology, and healthcare consulting organizations over his career, including General Motors, Dell, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson (ValuMetrix Services), the Lean Enterprise Institute, and KaiNexus.
Mark Graban is an acclaimed author, a three times recipient of the prestigious Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award. His books include: · The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation · Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More · Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement · Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Frontline Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvement
Mark's keynote on Day 1 of the conference is titled "Shifting from Cop to Coach" and will focus on the direct and proven link between operational performance and psychological safety. His workshop on Day 2 will teach delegates how to improve performance by improving systems, leadership behaviours and how people respond when things go wrong i.e. he'll explore mistakes that can make us better. He'll also engage about employing data-driven improvement and how to interpret metrics accurately so as to avoid responding to noise in the system. His approach is grounded in lean thinking, evidence, and real stories from organizations that have done the work. His workshops are practical, direct, and designed to change how leaders think and act — not just how they feel during the session. Most keynote speakers leave audiences inspired for an afternoon. Mark promises to leave them with something they can use on Monday morning!
DATES
Day 1 - 16 September 2026 - 08:30 - 16:30
Day 2 - 17 September 2026 - 08:30 - 16:30, Gala Dinner - 18:30 - 21:30
Day 3 - 18 September 2026 - Factory Tour - 09:00 - 12:30
COST (Excl. vat)
Single Delegate - R5 500 per person
Group Ticket for 6+ Delegates - R5 000 per person
Factory Tour - R1 500 per person
VENUE
PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven, 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. |
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Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
Aristotle |
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