| KZN CANEGROWERS TRAPPED ON HORNS OF SUGAR DILEMMA |
| COMRADES MARATHON HONOURS HEROES AND HELPERS |
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(back, ltr) Tiago Dionisio, Deshen Thomas (Biddulphs), Prince Nemutanzhela, Pogiso Maroku, Sphamandla Maduna, Lauretta Dunn, Steven Maliszewski and Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase; and (front, ltr) Luke Pillay (Form-scaff), Bob Norris, Louis Massyn, Mahesh Ratanjee, and Sifiso Ndaba (Run Zone Athletics Club).
The 2025 GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala in Durban celebrated selflessness, courage, and perseverance in the world’s most famous ultramarathon. This year’s Spirit of Comrades Award winners included Sphamandla Maduna (overcoming cerebral palsy), Prince Nemutanzhela (running despite violent attack injuries), and Pogiso Maroku (helping fellow SANDF runners despite his knee injury).
Other honours included Louis Massyn (Lifetime Achievement Award, 50 Comrades finishes), Bob Norris (Journalist of the Year), Mahesh Ratanjee (Top Charity Fundraiser, R320 000 raised for the Pietermaritzburg and Durban Community Chests), Run Zone Athletics Club (top fund-rasing club), Tiago Dionisio (Top International Ambassador), Steven Maliszewski (Hermes Award), and Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase (Chairperson’s Award). Long Service Awards went to Lauretta Dunn, Biddulphs, and Form-scaff.
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| CALL TO LIGHT UP THE MIDLANDS WITH FESTIVE SUNFIELD SHOW |
Sunfield Howick, a new member of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, invites local businesses to participate in Sunfield Lights Christmas Nights, taking place from 10–12 December from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm. The three-night event provides a unique opportunity to showcase your brand through festive light displays while engaging with the local community.
Participants are responsible for decorations and signage (no product sales), with electricity for displays provided. Limited stands are available. Secure your position today to highlight your business, network with the community, and support a premier Midlands festive event.The display fee is R1 000 for all three nights. Contact Les on 082 682 0114 or (033) 330 2094.
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1982: Beyers Naudé was served with his second banning order.
Elsewhere, in 1950, the first video game - Bertie the Brain - was publicly demonstrated.
Illustrators and artists will celebrate International Animation Day today.
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TELECOM GIANTS JOIN CALL FOR SMARTPHONES UNDER R700
Vodacom and MTN have joined the GSMA and six of Africa’s largest mobile operators, including Safaricom, Orange, Airtel, and Ethio Telecom, in advocating for smartphones priced below R700 to expand digital access. The coalition has outlined minimum technical standards for entry-level 4G devices, ensuring they are functional, durable, and compatible with essential apps.
Currently, over 340 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack mobile internet access, many still reliant on 2G devices.The operators warn that high handset costs and import duties remain major barriers to adoption. The proposal suggests governments reduce taxes and tariffs on low-cost smartphones, potentially connecting millions to mobile banking, e-learning, and e-government services, boosting economic inclusion across the continent. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES NOD TO BOOST HIGHER EDUCATION DIVERSITY
The South African government has approved a new policy enabling the establishment of private universities, marking a significant shift in higher education. This move is supported by JSE-listed ADvTECH and STADIO, which plan to apply for "private university" status for some of their brands. The policy aims to diversify the higher education landscape, allowing private institutions to offer accredited degrees and contribute to addressing skills shortages in the country. The Department of Higher Education and Training has set criteria for accreditation, focusing on quality assurance and alignment with national education standards. This development is expected to foster innovation and competition in the sector, benefiting students and the broader economy. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
SOUTH AFRICA HOLDS ONTO FOURTH SPOT IN AFRICAN INVESTMENT
South Africa has retained its fourth-place ranking in the 2025 RMB African Investment Index, reflecting stability amid regional competition. The index, compiled annually by RMB and FTI Consulting, evaluates 54 African countries based on investor perceptions, macroeconomic conditions, political stability, and business environment. South Africa scored 66.2 out of 100, behind Mauritius (78.5), Botswana (74.1), and Rwanda (70.8). Analysts note that while the country benefits from strong financial infrastructure and diverse markets, concerns over policy uncertainty, electricity supply, and slow economic growth have limited improvement. The ranking underscores the need for structural reforms to attract further foreign direct investment and boost investor confidence. (SOURCE: News24) |
LOGISTICS SHORTFALLS HOLD BACK R1.3 TRILLION EXPORTS
South Africa has the continent’s largest untapped export opportunity - worth an estimated R1.3-trillion - according to RMB’s Where to Invest in Africa 2025 report. The study found that while South Africa already leads in manufacturing and mineral exports, inefficiencies in ports, logistics, and energy supply are constraining growth. Expanding exports in sectors like automotive, green minerals, and agriculture could unlock billions in foreign revenue and create thousands of jobs. RMB analysts say improving infrastructure and trade policy could help South Africa close the export gap and reassert itself as Africa’s trade powerhouse amid rising competition from Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
RAF PAYMENT CRISIS COSTS MEDICAL ECOSYSTEM R500 MILLION
Medical practitioners in South Africa are scaling back services as debts owed by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) continue mounting, with invoices dating back to 2014. A recent inquiry revealed that 35 medico-legal experts alone are owed over R41 million for services rendered, and a wider group of 47 experts claim more than R120.7 million remains unpaid. Hospitals are also affected - one facility reported being owed more than R300 million. The unpaid invoices have forced some clinics to downscale or close, curbing access to critical care for road-accident victims. (SOURCE: News24) |
THUMBS-UP FOR 6-MONTHLY JAB TO KEEP HIV AT BAY
The official regulator in South Africa has approved the long-acting injectable drug lenacapavir (also called Yeztugo/Yeytuo) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Clinical trials showed 100% effectiveness among over 2 000 .women and 99.9% effectiveness among 2 179 men and gender-diverse participants. The medicine will be rolled out in more than 300 public clinics between April 2026 and March 2028, supported by a R513 million. Global Fund grant. (Bhekisisa) With just two injections per year, it offers a major step forward in HIV prevention, especially in South Africa - home to millions living with the virus and facing one of the highest global infection rates. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
NUMSA THREATENS STRIKE OVER 4.6% WAGE OFFER
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has threatened a nationwide strike after wage talks in the motor and component manufacturing sector reached a deadlock. The union rejected employers’ 4.5% increase offer, calling it “an insult” amid rising living costs. Numsa is demanding a 10% across-the-board wage hike, improved housing allowances, and job security guarantees. The dispute affects over 320,000 workers across vehicle assembly, dealerships, and workshops. Employers warn a strike could disrupt production and exports in South Africa’s R250 billion automotive industry, which contributes nearly 5% of GDP. Mediation efforts are expected to resume this week. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
CHERY MOOTS DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING AS DEMAND SOARS
Chinese car maker Chery Automobile is evaluating setting up manufacturing plants in South Africa after capturing around 3.9% of the local passenger-vehicle market in 2024. The automaker reported global sales of 2.6 million vehicles in 2024, a 38.4% year-on-year increase. Local resale numbers also reflect momentum, with SA monthly sales averaging about 2 000 units. Chery’s feasibility studies include assembly of its Omoda and Jaecoo brands, aiming to leverage South Africa’s automotive incentives and tap export corridors. By localising production, the company hopes to reduce tariffs, enhance competitiveness and secure future growth in Africa. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
ASTORIA PLANS R8.15 PER SHARE BUYOUT FOR JSE DELIST
Astoria Investments has announced a conditional offer to shareholders to acquire their shares at R8.15 each, paving the way for the company’s delisting from the JSE and the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM). If the required approvals are secured, the global investment company will also distribute 7.4 million Goldrush Holdings preference shares to shareholders, in a ratio of 12 for every 100 Astoria shares held, ahead of the delisting. The investment group said the move forms part of its long-term strategy to simplify its structure and return value to investors. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
… AS FIRSTRAND BUYS 20% OPTASIA AHEAD OF IPO
FirstRand has acquired a 20.1% stake in Optasia, an AI-driven fintech platform expanding financial access across 38 emerging markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The deal, valued at R19 per share, runs concurrently with Optasia’s R6.3 billion IPO, comprising a R1.3 billion primary issuance and R5 billion secondary sale. FirstRand says the investment will strengthen its footprint in underbanked segments and help FNB leverage Optasia’s AI credit-scoring and mobile data technologies. CEO Mary Vilakazi said the partnership aligns with FirstRand’s growth strategy and technological expansion across the continent, while Optasia CEO Salvador Anglada called it a “milestone in financial inclusion.” (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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KENYAN APP INVENTION GIVES DEAF COMMUNITY A VOICE
Kenyan innovator Elly Savatia has won the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation for creating Terp 360, an app that uses AI-powered 3D avatars to translate speech and text into sign language in real time. Described as “Google Translate for sign language,” the app enables deaf people to access education, health care, and work without relying on costly interpreters. Developed with Kenya’s deaf community, Terp 360 includes over 2 300 recorded signs and currently supports Kenyan Sign Language, with plans to add Rwandan, Ugandan, South African, British and American versions by 2027. Savatia received £50 000 (about R1.15 million.) from the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering for his transformative innovation. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
Thomas Jefferson |
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| Dollar | R17.21 | - 0.02% | | Pound | R23.01 | - 0.07% | | Euro | R20.07 | - 0.23% | | Yen | 0.113313 |
| | Yuan | R2.43 | - 0.21% | | Bitcoin | $ 113 722.30
| - 0.58% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 571.24 | - 0.04% | | Gold | $ 3 958.94
| - 0.56% | | Oil | $ 64.66
| - 0.48% | | All Share | 108 707.44
| - 1.57% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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