| SAVVY CONSUMERS STRIKE BACK AGAINST SPIRALING FUEL COSTS |
| ANDERSON ENGINEERING SHOWCASES EXPERTISE, INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT |
(ltr) Anderson Engineering foreman Clinton Ahrens demonstrating specialised surface finishes to Liezel Corbitt (Pronel), PMCB CEO Melanie Veness and Tanya Hulse (TLC).
Anderson Engineering recently hosted members of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business to an Industry Network to showcase its stainless steel manufacturing operations. Director Hennie de Jager outlined the company’s history and growth, followed by interactive engagements across key departments including design, pilot plants, laser cutting, and factory operations. Guests gained practical insights into processes such as welding and polishing, and concluded their visit with a guided factory tour of current projects that highlighted the company’s capabilities. Networking over refreshments rounded off proceedings for the event which focused on collaboration, quality and industry connection.
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| BACK TO DRAWING BOARD ON MSUNDUZI POWER TARIFFS, AGAIN |
There's no end to the imbroglio about electricity tariffs in the Musunduzi Municipality as it struggles to come up with coherent presentation on the 2026/27 increase proposals. At issue is a flawed Cost of Supply model that has drawn formal objections to NERSA. Key concerns include under-stated revenue, tariff miscalculations, and questionable cross-subsidisation across user categories. A parallel legal process has already set aside the 2024/25 approval, forcing a re-determination. As was pointed out by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, credible financial data remains central to restoring regulatory certainty and lawful tariff setting overall. Click here to download an update of the process to determine a transparent and fair electricity trafiff regime for the Msunduzi Municipality.
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1984: The Afrikaner Volkswag (People's Guard) was established by Professor Carel Boshoff to uphold apartheid policies and promote a volk staat.
Elsewhere, in 1821, Emperor Napoleon died in exile on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Today is celebrated as African World Heritage Day.
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DOMESTIC DEMAND SPURS PMI SURPRISE MARCH REBOUND
Absa’s purchasing managers’ index climbed to 52.6 in April from about 49.9 in March, moving back above the key 50-point mark that signals expansion. The rebound was driven by stronger business activity and a notable rise in new sales orders, pointing to firmer domestic demand.
Supplier deliveries also improved, helping ease earlier bottlenecks. However, employment remained subdued and export orders continued to lag, underscoring uneven recovery. Economists warn that persistent risks - including power supply instability, elevated input costs and weak global demand - could limit momentum, leaving the manufacturing sector vulnerable to renewed slowdown in the coming months. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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WORSENING WATER CRISIS DECLARED NATIONAL EMERGENCY
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared South Africa’s worsening water and wastewater breakdown a national emergency, warning that urgent action is needed to secure reliable supply for households, businesses and institutions. Speaking at the President’s Coordinating Council in Boksburg, he said municipalities are losing about 34% of purchased water, with some nearing 50%, while wastewater treatment works are also failing, leading to sewer spills and river contamination in multiple metros. Municipal debt to water boards has tripled since 2018, reflecting deep financial distress. He said 34% of households now face prolonged outages. Government’s Operation Vulindlela reforms aim to unlock R108bn in investment, enforce accountability, ring-fence maintenance budgets, and restore both water supply and wastewater treatment systems. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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UNION SEES RED OVER PNP PROPOSED LABOUR OVERHAUL
The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) has sharply criticised Pick n Pay’s proposed labour overhaul, warning it could drive forced exits and reduced earnings for tens of thousands of employees. Proposals include reduced guaranteed hours of as little as 27 per week, alongside changes to long-standing pay structures and benefits. SACCAWU says the plan shifts financial risk onto workers and is unacceptable amid rising living costs. Pick n Pay, led by CEO Sean Summers, says the reset is essential to restore profitability after a headline loss of more than R3 billion and falling market share. (SOURCE: BDlive/News24)
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TOP BOX COLLUSION COMES TO HAUNT MULTICHOICE, ALTECH
MultiChoice and Altech face prosecution after South Africa’s competition authorities referred a collusion case involving a 2014 agreement. The issue is not that Altech was blocked from entry, but that the companies allegedly agreed on technical standards for set-top boxes that may have limited competition by excluding other manufacturers and new entrants. Regulators argue this could have reinforced MultiChoice’s dominance in the pay-TV market. If found guilty, both firms face penalties of up to 10% of annual turnover, highlighting intensifying scrutiny of competition practices in broadcasting. (SOURCE: News24)
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FREE DATA CLAIMS LAND BOXER, SPAR IN HOT WATER
Boxer and SPAR have come under regulatory scrutiny for advertising promotions described as “free data,” which authorities say may be misleading to consumers. The complaint centres on whether the offers clearly disclosed conditions attached to mobile data rewards linked to purchases. Regulators argue the wording could create the impression of unconditional benefits, potentially breaching advertising standards. The case highlights growing pressure on retailers to ensure transparency in digital-linked promotions as competition for value-conscious consumers intensifies. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AND L’ORÉAL COMES A CROPPER IN EUCERIN SHOWDOWN
L’Oréal has lost a regulatory challenge against claims made for Eucerin, in a dispute over advertising in the dermatological skincare segment. Authorities ruled that Eucerin’s claims that it is the "number 1 dermatologist-recommended" skincare brand for specific categories are allowed. The decision highlights intensifying competition in premium skincare and the high bar for substantiating challenges to product efficacy messaging. It also reinforces the role of regulators in policing advertising standards as brands battle for credibility in a fast-growing, science-led segment of the local beauty market. (SOURCE: News24)
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AIR CARGO DEMAND SLUMPS AMID GLOBAL DISRUPTIONS
Global air cargo demand fell 4.8% year-on-year in March, according to International Air Transport Association, as conflict in the Middle East disrupted key Gulf hubs and post–Lunar New Year softness set in. International demand dropped 5.5%, while capacity declined 4.7%. Despite the slowdown, underlying conditions remain supportive, with global trade up 8% and industrial production rising 3.1%. Jet fuel prices surged 106.6%, adding cost pressure. Africa led regional growth at 7%, while Middle East demand plunged 54.3%, highlighting the uneven impact of geopolitical shocks on global supply chains. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS MORE PASSENGERS TAKE TO THE SKIES
Global air passenger demand rose 2.1% year-on-year in March, the International Air Transport Association reported, despite conflict-related disruptions in the Middle East. International demand dipped 0.6%, while domestic travel surged 6.5%, lifting overall performance. Capacity fell 1.7% globally, but load factors strengthened to 83.6%, up 3.1 percentage points. Africa led growth with a 20.6% jump, followed by Asia-Pacific at 11.5%. The Middle East collapsed 58.6% amid conflict impacts. Airline chief Willie Walsh said fuel costs and supply risks remain key concerns, but summer travel demand still appears resilient across major global markets. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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END IS NEAR FOR PIONEERING SPACE PROBE 24 BILLION KM AWAY
Nearly five decades after launch, the pioneering spacecraft Voyager 1 is heading for oblivion as it drifts more than 15 billion miles (24 billion km) from Earth. Launched in 1977, its signals are now faint whispers across interstellar space. Designed to last just five years, Voyager 1 and its twin, Voyager 2, have far outlived expectations. Powered by dwindling energy, instruments are being shut down, marking the slow end of a landmark mission. The probes have reshaped knowledge of the outer planets as their journeys will continue long after contact fades, silent emissaries of Earth. (SOURCE: Nautilus)
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Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.
Dwayne Johnson |
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