| AI SAFETY DEBATE EXPOSES RISK TO EVERYDAY LIFE |
The risks posed by AI are no longer confined to laboratories or tech companies. For ordinary people, increasingly autonomous systems could disrupt websites, services, businesses and critical infrastructure to potentially affect how we work, communicate, shop and access essential services. That's fuelling a high-stakes debate over whether developers should slow down before systems become harder to control. Despite calls by AI executives for a slowdown, commercial and geopolitical pressure makes restraint difficult.
See below: AI execs on collision course with investors, Trump |
| OPEN HANDS BRINGING HUMAN CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY |
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Open Hands founder Greg Wynn (in blue shirt) leading a monthly encouragement session at The Royal Hospital.
Meet new PMCB member Open Hands: Seeing People NPC that is putting human connection, lived experience and practical support at the heart of community wellbeing. Based in Hilton, the registered non-profit works with hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, schools, businesses and community groups, supporting people affected by strokes, brain injuries, disability, trauma, illness and isolation. Its programmes include hospital and rehabilitation outreach, support groups, mindfulness programmes, community conversations, school talks and corporate workshops.
Founder Greg Wynn brings more than 27 years of lived experience following a stroke at 21, alongside extensive experience in public speaking, mindfulness and community work. His approach is grounded in seeing the whole person rather than defining people by illness or disability.
Open Hands creates welcoming spaces where people can connect, reflect, develop self-awareness and engage meaningfully with others. With Section 18A status, the organisation offers businesses and community partners an opportunity to support practical, purposeful wellbeing initiatives. Contact Open Hands on 064 751 6707 or at greg@openhands.co.za. View the website here.
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| IT'S TIME TO BEAT BACK THE STRESS AND INVEST IN YOURSELF |
You’re the most important person in your life, reason enough to invest in yourself. Join facilitator Shari Cade at two practical workshops on 18 September 2026 at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business Trade Hub. Leading Yourself First runs 8.30 am to 12.30 pm, followed by Managing Stress from 1-4 pm. Learn tools to strengthen self-awareness, resilience, boundaries and healthier habits. R100 per workshop or R150 for both. To take the first step towards greater clarity, confidence and balance, contact Lucrisha Polton on (033) 345 2747 or at trademanager@pmcb.org.za.
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| BUSINESSES INVITED TO SWING A CLUB FOR SALVATION ARMY |
| Businesses are invited to support and sponsor a charity golf day on Saturday, 26 September, hosted by SBD Business Systems and Ekhay’Elkhulu Restaurant & Entertainment in aid of The Salvation Army (Mid KZN Division). Premium and Standard sponsorship packages offer an opportunity to back a worthwhile cause while supporting an enjoyable day of golf and networking by contacting Bronwyn Redman at bronwynr@sbdirect.co.za. Tee-off is at 9.30 am at Maritzburg Golf Club, with Individual Stableford and a R350 green fee. All proceeds support vulnerable individuals and families. Bookings can be made on (033) 396 2356. |
1910: General Louis Botha became the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa.
2008: Lehman Brothers file for bankruptcy protection, the largest bankruptcy in US history that is generally considered to be the start of the 2009 financial crisis.
Today is observed as both International Day of Democracy and Greenpeace Day.
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TACKLING INFRASTRUCTURE BACKLOGS TO CROSS POLITICAL LINES
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has blamed poor planning for South Africa’s growing infrastructure backlog, as Treasury develops a three-year intervention plan aimed at helping restore Johannesburg. The plan is intended to support the city regardless of which political grouping ultimately controls the metro, highlighting the urgency of addressing deteriorating infrastructure and service-delivery failures.
Many South African cities are struggling with ageing infrastructure and severe water losses, adding pressure on municipalities already facing financial constraints. Treasury’s intervention reflects growing concern that weak planning and implementation are undermining infrastructure investment and economic development. The government is increasingly looking to reforms and private-sector participation to tackle these bottlenecks and improve municipal infrastructure delivery. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS TRANSNET BATTLES THEFT, VANDALISM WORTH R2 BILLION
Theft and vandalism cost Transnet almost R2 billion in 2025/26, despite a 7% decline in incidents. The state freight operator recorded about 5 870 attacks, diverting employees and resources from moving trains and freight. Transnet also spent R3.7 billion on security during the year as it stepped up efforts to protect infrastructure. Rail volumes rose 4.9% to 167.9 million tonnes, but remained below the 180 million-tonne target. Transnet invested R23.3 billion in capital expenditure, with 85% allocated to replacing and refurbishing existing assets. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
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SARS PUTS FAITH IN AI TO POWER NEW-ERA TAX ADMINISTRATION
Artificial intelligence is central to South African Revenue Service commissioner Johnstone Makhubu’s vision for a modern, trusted and more capable tax authority. Speaking at the 13th Annual Tax Indaba, Makhubu said Sars must build on record collections while making compliance easier and taxpayer services more responsive. Sars collected more than R2 trillion in 2025/26, an 8.4% increase, led by individual tax of R794 billion, VAT of R500 billion and company tax of R350 billion. Its Modernisation 3.0 programme aims to create an intelligent tax and customs platform using data, automation and AI. Makhubu stressed that technology should complement rather than replace people, making services faster, compliance easier and enforcement more precise. He said Sars’s success must ultimately be measured by both revenue and taxpayer trust. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE BETTER PLACED FOR EL NIÑO
South Africa’s agriculture sector is entering the 2026/27 summer season better positioned to withstand an expected El Niño drought cycle, says Absa. Record soil moisture, healthy dam levels, strong grain stocks and favourable veld conditions provide producers with a buffer after two seasons of sustained rainfall. National dam levels reached 95.5% in August, compared with 55% during the previous major drought cycle in 2016. However, Absa AgriBusiness sector head Loffie Brandt warns against complacency, with warmer, drier conditions and extreme heat threatening key production areas. Rainfall timing will be crucial, particularly for dryland grain farmers, while efficient water use, soil-moisture conservation and financial resilience will be essential during the October-to-December planting window. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
FORD URGES LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WITH IMPORTERS
Ford Motor Company Africa president Neale Hill is calling for a regulatory framework that puts local vehicle manufacturers on a more equal footing with importers, warning that uneven conditions could undermine investment and jobs. He says refinements to the Automotive Production and Development Programme must ensure manufacturers investing in South Africa are not structurally disadvantaged. Ford has invested nearly R33 billion locally over 14 years and employs about 5 000 people. Hill questions whether current import tariffs and production-credit trading adequately support manufacturers, while calling for stronger incentives for new-energy vehicle production. He also opposes semi-knockdown assembly, arguing South Africa should prioritise fully localised manufacturing. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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R22 BILLION OMNIA TAKE-OVER DEAL ON THE TABLE
India’s Solar Industries has agreed to acquire South African industrial explosives and fertiliser group Omnia Holdings for R21.8 billion, offering R134.50 a share, a 14.3% premium to Friday’s close. The deal will expand Solar’s mining and agriculture footprint across southern Africa while giving it access to Omnia operations in Canada, Brazil, Australia and Indonesia. Solar, led by billionaire Satyanarayan Nuwal, already operates in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia and controls South Africa’s Problast BS. Omnia CEO Seelan Gobalsamy says the deal is about accelerating growth by combining the companies’ balance sheets. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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CAPITEC HIT WITH R28 MILLION PENALTY OVER FICA FAILURES
The Prudential Authority has imposed a R28 million penalty on Capitec Bank for shortcomings in its compliance with South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre Act (Fica). The regulator found deficiencies in customer due diligence, employee training and anti-money-laundering controls, highlighting weaknesses in the bank’s systems for identifying and managing financial-crime risks. The action underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny facing financial institutions as authorities strengthen efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Capitec must address the identified shortcomings and strengthen its controls, demonstrating that even major banks remain accountable for maintaining robust Fica compliance and effective risk-management systems. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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DEVELOPMENT BANK POSTS RECORD R7.8 BILLION PROFIT
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) reported a record R7.8 billion net profit for the year to March 2026, up 47% from R5.3 billion. Growth was driven by higher net interest and operating income, a larger asset base and lower impairment provisions. Despite strong liquidity and a 20.3% cost-to-income ratio, DBSA remains exposed to elevated credit risk, particularly among financially distressed municipalities facing mismanagement, infrastructure vandalism and service-delivery challenges. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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RECORD R326 BILLION NIGERIAN IPO OFFERS OIL BONANZA
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has launched an initial public offering for his $20 billion (about R326 billion) oil refinery, in what is billed as Africa’s biggest share sale. The offer comprises 4.1 billion shares priced at 525 Naira (about R6.50) each, potentially raising 2.15 trillion Naira (about R26 billion), with proceeds earmarked for expansion. The IPO values the refinery at about $47 billion. Retail investors can participate by buying as few as 10 shares through digital investment platforms. The Lagos refinery currently processes 700 000 barrels of crude a day, with Dangote targeting 1.4 million barrels by 2029. The plant has reshaped Nigeria’s fuel market since starting operations in 2024 and benefited from increased jet-fuel demand following supply disruptions linked to the Iran war. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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AI EXECS ON COLLISION COURSE WITH INVESTORS, TRUMP
AI’s safety debate is heading for a showdown as leading technology executives urge caution over increasingly powerful models. OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and Elon Musk have backed calls to slow development, warning that unchecked advances could bring serious risks. Their stance puts them at odds with Wall Street investors seeking rapid growth and US President Donald Trump’s administration, which has played down some AI concerns. China has also rejected what it calls AI “fearmongering”. The dispute is already rattling markets, with technology shares bearing the brunt of a global selloff as investors weigh AI’s enormous commercial potential against mounting safety concerns. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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PEOPLE MANAGEMENT FORUM
The Forum for HR professionals to discuss and address current and difficult HR matters
Facilitated by : Raj Seeparsad
AGENDA
1. Mental Health and the implications for Employers and HR Professionals – a Senior CCMA Commissioner will address this topic.
2. Zero-Tolerance does not mean Automatic Dismissal – Labour Court Ruling.
3. Building Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace in South Africa.
4. High Court Confirms that Employers & HR Professionals cannot override the Internal Appeals Outcome – Why?
5. Cannabis / Dagga and Safety Risk in the workplace – implications for Employers and HR Professionals.
Date: 22 September 2026
Time: 15:00 - 17:00
Venue: PMCB Offices - 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
Cost: Free - PMCB members, R60 (incl. vat) non PMCB members |
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Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
Marie Curie |
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