| THE FUTURE IS COALITION POLITICS, BUT WHAT ABOUT GOVERNANCE? |
| GREETING SPRING WITH A LEAP OF HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND JOY |
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The two-day Spring Leap festival celebrates well-being, creativity, movement and community.
Spring Leap Fest returns to the KZN Midlands this weekend, expanding the event into a two-day celebration of well-being, creativity, movement and community at The Old Mushroom Farm on the Karkloof road. The festival brings together wellness practices, inspiring talks, workshops, live music, creative experiences and opportunities for meaningful connection in a picturesque countryside setting. This year, the Midlands Meander Association joins as a key partner, helping shape the festival’s next chapter.
Visitors can choose between single-day tickets and weekend passes, with a diverse programme catering to all ages and experience levels. Set among gardens, rolling hills and converted farm buildings, Spring Leap Fest encourages visitors to slow down, reconnect and explore holistic approaches to body, mind, relationships and environment. For more about the event on September 5 and 6, follow Spring Leap Fest on Instagram and Facebook. |
| ON-SITE VISIT TO TOP SNACK MANUFACTURER IN PIETERMARITZBURG |
| Not many people know that one of South Africa’s largest snack manufacturers is based right here in Pietermaritzburg. Now, Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business members have the opportunity on September 10, from 9-11 am, to get a first-hand look inside Truda Foods, the home-grown producer behind popular products including Bigga Naks, Spookies, Chippa and Flyers. Join fellow businesses for an exclusive Industry Networking meeting, tour the operation, discover more about Truda’s products and connect with the team. Contact Thabisile on (033) 345 2747 or at info@pmcb.org.za |
1919: General Jan Christian Smuts started his first term as prime minister of the Union of South Africa after the death of General Louis Botha.
Elsewhere, in 1995, internet giant eBay, the online marketplace and auction website, was founded by Pierre Omidyar.
On this day, Swedish drivers switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right. |
MANDATORY MEDICAL AID COULD CUT PREMIUMS BY 30%
Mandatory medical aid membership for South Africans earning above the tax threshold could reduce private healthcare contributions by 25% to 30%, according to the Health Funders Association (HFA). The proposal would bring about 8.79 million additional people earning above the annual R99,000 tax threshold into medical schemes, broadening the risk pool with younger and healthier members.
HFA says this could reduce adverse selection and improve cross-subsidisation, making private healthcare more affordable. Its report also recommends a risk equalisation fund to redistribute money between schemes with younger and older membership bases. The proposal comes as South Africa’s private healthcare sector faces mounting affordability pressures and uncertainty surrounding National Health Insurance. HFA says broader participation could strengthen medical scheme sustainability while lowering costs for members. (SOURCE: BDLive/News24)
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KZN BUSINESS CONFIDENCE HOLDS STEADY
KZN businesses are holding their ground as confidence across much of South Africa remains under pressure. KZN’s business confidence stayed unchanged at 40 in Q3 2026, comfortably ahead of Gauteng’s 30 and just below the Western Cape’s 46. The KZN reading suggests a measure of resilience despite weak demand, infrastructure constraints and policy uncertainty. Nationally, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index edged down to 38, indicating that 62% of businesses remain dissatisfied with prevailing conditions. Manufacturers were among the hardest hit nationally, with confidence falling to 27. Meanwhile, easing fuel-cost pressures provided some relief. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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FRANCE, GERMANY COMMIT R5.6 BILLION TO FIX METROS
France and Germany have committed €300 million (about R5.6 billion) in concessional loans to support National Treasury’s Metro Trading Services Reform programme, targeting the financial and operational recovery of South Africa’s eight metros. The programme focuses on improving water, electricity, sanitation and refuse services, addressing infrastructure failures, unreliable supply and financial stress. Government expects to mobilise R54 billion through performance-linked incentives, with R27.7 billion allocated over the medium term. The loans comprise €200 million from KfW Development Bank and €100 million from France’s Agence Française de Développement, supporting the municipal component of the Just Energy Transition investment plan. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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SHOPPERS GO ONLINE AS DIGITAL RETAIL TOPS 10% MARKET MILESTONE
The future of shopping is online – and it has arrived. Digital retail has crossed a significant milestone in South Africa, now accounting for 10% of all retail sales. Online turnover is expected to surge 22.5% to R159 billion in 2026, up from R130 billion last year. The shift is being reinforced by strong performances from major platforms and retailers. Checkers Sixty60 sales climbed 34.5% to R25.5 billion, while TFG Africa’s online sales jumped 49.2%. Takealot recorded its first full-year trading profit. More than 66% of consumers surveyed expect to shop online more in the coming year, signalling that digital shopping is rapidly becoming mainstream. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS FOSCHINI CLOSES 280 STORES ON SURGING ONLINE SALES
The Foschini Group (TFG) plans to close about 280 stores across Africa by 2029 as it shifts focus towards rapidly growing online sales. About 80 outlets are expected to close in the year to March, followed by 100 closures in each of the next two years. TFG has already shut 85 economically unviable stores in the 21 weeks to August 22. Physical African store sales increased just 0.2%, while online sales surged 54%, driven by its Bash platform. Online sales now account for almost 16% of group sales, up from 14% a year earlier. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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WOOLIES FOOD LEADS 4.3% GROWTH AS CLOTHING STRUGGLES
Woolworths Holdings delivered 4.3% turnover growth to R84.5 billion, driven by its premium Food business, which grew 5.7%, while on-demand deliveries surged 19.6%. Fashion, Beauty and Home faced tougher conditions, with second-half sales growth slowing to 2.6% as living costs and the Middle East conflict weighed on consumers. In Australia, Country Road Group returned to profitability despite intense promotional pressure from rivals. Sam Ngumeni has taken over as Woolworths Group CEO following Roy Bagattini’s retirement. Shareholders will receive a final dividend of 81 cents a share, lifting the full-year payout 5.9% to 199 cents. (SOURCE: SENS)
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... AS FASHION BUSINESSES FACE EXISTENTIAL SCRUTINY
Woolworths is undertaking a strategic review of underperforming businesses, with its apparel operations in South Africa and Australia facing the greatest scrutiny. New CEO Sam Ngumeni says Food will remain at the centre of the group, supported by stronger-performing Home, Beauty and Absolute Pets businesses. Woolworths plans to convert unproductive Fashion space into Home, which grew turnover 11.7% to about R1.8 billion. The group will also expand food services, including W Café and coffee outlets. Ngumeni says capital allocation will become more selective, with structural changes or difficult decisions possible where businesses fail to deliver acceptable returns. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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EXPORTERS URGED TO POOL RESOURCES UNDER REVISED POLICY
South African exporters can now collaborate more closely to pursue international markets under a new Block Exemption for Promotion of Exports. The policy allows qualifying businesses to share certain costs, infrastructure and market information, coordinate logistics, jointly market goods and negotiate with foreign buyers where permitted. The dtic says the exemption responds to rising tariffs, logistics costs and growing barriers to alternative markets. It also aims to help smaller businesses overcome the costs of overseas market research, warehousing and international marketing. Export councils, industry associations and provincial agencies are encouraged to identify opportunities. However, the exemption covers only specified activities and is not a blanket exemption from competition law. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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CHERY'S FULL KNOCKDOWN PLANS TO BOOST LOCAL CONTENT
Chery is set to strengthen South Africa’s automotive manufacturing base with completely knockdown (CKD) production at its Rosslyn plant in Tshwane. The approach should create greater opportunities for locally manufactured components and support the company’s localisation ambitions. Chery plans to produce about 15 000 vehicles during the ramp-up period in the second half of 2027, with the facility capable of producing 50 000 units annually. The Chinese automaker has committed to retaining 692 former Nissan employees and creating nearly 3 000 direct and indirect jobs. Chery is targeting 40% local content by 2028, while seeking greater cooperation between local and international component manufacturers to strengthen the domestic supply chain. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS MOTUS CASHES IN ON CHINESE AND INDIAN BRANDS
Motus is cashing in on South Africa’s growing appetite for affordable Chinese and Indian vehicles, with sales of these brands soaring more than 200% in 2026. The group now represents 43 vehicle brands, including Chery, BYD, GWM, Haval, Jaecoo, Mahindra and Tata. Motus reported revenue of R113.6 billion, up 1%, while operating profit increased 4% to R5.7 billion. South African new-vehicle sales jumped 15% to 94 938, while pre-owned sales rose 5% to 90 890. Import and Distribution revenue increased 13%, with operating profit surging 30%. Motus says affordability is driving demand as consumers increasingly turn to emerging brands amid limited scope for further price increases. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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FARMERS URGED TO PREPARE FOR HOT EL NIÑO SUMMER
South African farmers are being urged to prepare for a developing El Niño event expected to persist through summer, bringing below-normal rainfall and higher temperatures. The Department of Agriculture warned that dry, hot conditions could trigger crop failures, livestock deaths, water restrictions and increased pest and disease risks. Farmers should conserve soil moisture, use climate-smart and conservation agriculture practices, select drought-tolerant cultivars and stick to planting windows. Irrigation farmers should adopt efficient methods such as drip irrigation and harvest water. Livestock producers should avoid overstocking, rotate grazing and increase water and feed points. Farmers should also closely monitor SAWS weather warnings. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS AFRICA BRACES FOR RECORD CLIMATE DISRUPTIONS
Africa is entering a potentially record-strength El Niño from a weaker economic position than a decade ago, the Institute of International Finance (IIF) says. Higher oil prices following the Iran war, transport costs, a stronger Dollar and tighter financing conditions have reduced countries’ ability to absorb another food-price shock. Egypt, Zambia and Ethiopia appear particularly vulnerable. El Niño could bring severe drought to southern Africa and flooding in the east, damaging crops. South Africa and Zambia, major maize producers, have some protection after record harvests this year. South Africa’s relatively smaller food weighting in CPI also limits the inflation impact. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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... AND UN WARNS THAT BREACHING 1.5C WARMING THRESHOLD IS NEAR
Global warming will likely surpass the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold within the next few years, according to a new UN report. Even under the best-case scenario, warming is expected to peak around 1.8°C, while current policies could result in 2.6°C. Long-term warming is already about 1.4°C. The report says countries must move beyond limiting temperature increases to achieving an “overshoot, peak and decline” trajectory. Emissions need to nearly halve by 2030 and reach net zero by mid-century. Carbon dioxide removal will become necessary, but experts stress that rapidly cutting fossil-fuel emissions remains essential. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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SOUTH AFRICAN LABOUR LAW ANNUAL SEMINARS
South African Labour Law Reports (SALLR) are proud to present the 42nd annual seminar.
The Pietermaritzburg Seminar will be as follows:
Date : 10 September 2026
Time : 7h00 for 8h00 -13h00
Venue : PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (excludes vat)
1 to 4 delegates - R4350 per delegate
5 to 10 delegates - R3950 per delegate
11 or more delegates - R3850 per delegate
Non Profit Organization - R3950 per delegate
Should you have any queries in the above regard, kindly contact Anneshka Schutte (pa@vanzylrudd.co.za or 041 373 4322). |
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Memory is not frozen, it's very much alive, it moves, it changes.
Louis Malle |
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