| KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, IF THE ELECTRICITY STAYS ON |
Households in Pietermaritzburg are grappling with persistent electricity outages despite a marked improvement in generating capacity - and reliability - by Eskom. A myriad of reasons are cited for the regular cuts in Msunduzi that continue to disrupt daily life and local business activity.
Anecdotal reports point to vastly different incidents of power interruptions with some suburbs seemingly affected more than others. The inconvenience is the same though, irrespective of how these cuts compare with interruptions elsewhere - nationally, households suffered an average of six to nine unplanned outages per month in 2025, with an average outage lasting 12.1 hours, according to solar energy firm Wetility.
To help track municipal performance, Wetility has launched a free municipal outage gauge that tracks frequency, duration and recovery times. Currently tracking performance throughout the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, it shows an average outage of 10.9 hours with 63.2% of taking more than eight hours to resolve.
Knowledge may be power, but only when advance information helps you plan for inconvenience. But it doesn’t help when the notoriously fickle municipal supply goes dark; and more the reason to support the drive for a Distribution Agency Agreement by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business that proposes for Eskom taking over billing, revenue collection, and maintenance. Derek Alberts (editor)
|
| 60-DAY COMRADES COUNTDOWN AS 4 MAY DEADLINE LOOMS |
Comrades Marathon runners are reminded to ensure their entry profiles are completed by 4 May. Pic courtesy of CMA.
With just 60 days to race day on 14 June, the Comrades Marathon Association has issued a stern warning that no exceptions will be made to the 4 May qualification deadline. Race Director Sue Forge said runners must complete qualifying marathon details, submit the compulsory medical questionnaire, and update their online entry profiles before the cut-off. Incomplete entries will be rejected outright, with no late submissions accepted under any circumstances. “We do not want runners losing the chance to earn a Comrades medal due to missed administrative requirements,” she said.
Preparations for the 99th edition are on track with innovations across registration, race-day logistics, and safety systems for the Up Run, the CMA said. Click here for more information.
|
| TRANSNET COMES CLEAN ON FUEL SURCHARGE ON CONTAINERS |
1981: The South African government seized the passport of Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Elsewhere, in 1945, the last major WWII offensive took place when the battle of Berlin began.
It's all about punctuation today, on International Semicolon Day.
|
 |
SINGLE WOMEN LEAD THE FIRST-TIME HOME BUYING CHARGE
KZN is experiencing a shift in first-time homebuyer activity, with a slight 2% decline in 2025 transactions as affordability pressures and economic migration reshape demand. However, new data from Standard Bank shows women are increasingly leading South Africa’s home ownership market, signalling a structural shift in buying patterns.
Single female purchases rose threefold nationally between 2024 and 2025, while self-employed buyers rose 33% as lenders adapted to non-traditional incomes. Women are estimated to make up more than 50% of new applicants in some segments, with strong participation among first-time buyers.
The trend is also supported by improved access to credit and entrepreneurial income streams. Analysts say the shift is reshaping property demand, with women prioritising affordability, security and long-term investment value, while helping to stabilise the residential market amid broader economic pressure. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity/BDLive)
|
... AS LISTED PROPERTY FIRMS TAP RISING INVESTOR DEMAND
South Africa’s listed property sector is riding strong demand for corporate debt, with issuances often 2–3 times oversubscribed despite global volatility. Groups such as Redefine Properties and Hyprop Investments have secured funding at spreads of about 120–180 basis points above benchmarks, reflecting investor appetite for yield. Recent deals in the sector have ranged between R1bn and R3bn, supporting refinancing and liquidity needs. Analysts say improved loan-to-value ratios, generally in the 35%–45% range, have bolstered confidence. The continued inflow into property debt is helping firms manage maturities and sustain distributions, even as geopolitical risks and interest rate uncertainty persist. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
BANKS ON BACKFOOT AS VIRAL AI MODEL STALKS CYBER SPACE
South Africa’s biggest banks are on high alert as a newly-developed AI model that discovered vulnerabilities in every major operating system and web browser in the world has signalled a massive escalation in the cyber threat landscape. Major lenders are strengthening cybersecurity monitoring and stress-testing digital infrastructure as security teams assess potential exposure to advanced AI-assisted intrusion techniques. Industry sources say the development has intensified concerns about automated exploitation of software flaws, prompting closer coordination between banks, regulators, and technology partners to safeguard financial systems and customer data against rapidly evolving cyber risks. Monitoring continues across the sector ongoing. (SOURCE: News24)
|
POOR TAKE-UP PROMPTS STUDENT LOAN SCHEME REVIEW
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is considering a major review of its student loan criteria after weaker-than-expected uptake in its “missing middle” funding scheme, with only a small share of eligible applicants successfully securing loans. Officials say applications have fallen well below projections, with approval rates reported in some batches at under 30%–40%, raising concerns about restrictive affordability thresholds and complex eligibility checks. The scheme was designed to support students earning too much for grants but too little for bank finance. NSFAS CEO Waseem Carrim says reforms are being assessed to widen access while maintaining repayment sustainability. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
LEGAL CHALLENGE TARGETS OIL MAJORS’ DURBAN MONOPOLY
Capricorn Petrochemicals has launched a legal challenge over access to the Island View fuel terminal in Durban — a critical logistics hub handling a large share of South Africa’s imported fuel. The sector is dominated by major oil firms controlling an estimated 70%–80% of storage and distribution capacity. Island View processes billions of litres annually, feeding inland markets via pipeline and road networks. Capricorn argues regulatory directives entrenched incumbents and bypassed procurement rules. Transport minister Barbara Creecy is cited. Analysts say the case could reshape competition, pricing and investment in a market consuming over 25bn litres of fuel yearly. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
MINERS BATTEN DOWN HATCHES AS WAGE, COST PRESSURES MOUNT
South Africa’s mining sector is bracing for a sharp rise in operating costs as fuel prices and wage demands climb. Industry estimates put miners’ combined monthly petrol and diesel bill at about R4bn in April, driven by global oil shocks linked to Middle East tensions. At the same time, above-inflation wage increases - often in the 5%–7% range - are expected to further squeeze margins. Major producers including Kumba Iron Ore warn that rising input costs could erode profitability despite firm commodity prices. Analysts say the dual pressure of energy and labour costs risks slowing investment, cutting output growth and intensifying restructuring across the sector. . (SOURCE: BDLive) |
SIU SEIZES SUPERCARS IN R75 MILLION HOSPITAL LOOTING SPREE
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has attached assets worth over R75 million linked to alleged Tembisa Hospital corruption figure Hangwani Maumela. The haul includes at least five supercars, among them Lamborghinis valued in the millions, and eight properties across Gauteng. Investigators say the assets were acquired using proceeds from inflated and irregular hospital contracts. A motor dealership in eMalahleni is contesting the seizure of the vehicles in court. The SIU has been probing billions of rand in suspected procurement irregularities at the hospital, with asset recovery forming a key part of efforts to claw back misused public funds and hold implicated parties accountable. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
... AS EX-ZUMA MINISTER COUGHS UP R193 000 TO COURT SHERIFF
Former ANC MP Dipuo Peters has paid nearly R193 000 in legal costs after the sheriff enforced a court order at her Kimberley home. The debt stemmed from her failed bid to overturn a parliamentary ethics ruling linked to misconduct at Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), where she served as transport minister under Jacob Zuma between 2013 and 2017. Activist group UniteBehind had pursued the case after Parliament initially failed to act on complaints. Peters settled R192.781, including interest, avoiding attachment of her car and closing the matter. (SOURCE: GroundUp)
|
COURT BACKS MOTSEPE'S ARC IN R3.2 BILLION TANZANIAN DISPUTE
The Johannesburg High Court has ruled in favour of African Rainbow Capital (ARC), chaired by Patrice Motsepe, in a dispute involving Tanzania’s Pula Group, which is pursuing a $195m (about R3.2 billion) damages claim over an alleged breach of confidentiality linked to a graphite investment deal. The court found that the agreement was concluded with African Rainbow Minerals, not ARC, and that ARC had no contractual liability under the deal. Pula argues the ruling undermines its Tanzanian case and has confirmed plans to appeal. The matter, rooted in cross-border mining investments and confidentiality claims, is due for hearing in Tanzania in coming weeks. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
|
AFRICA BEER MARKET SHIFTS IN GLOBAL RESET
Africa’s fast-evolving beer market is being reshaped as global giants pivot strategies amid risk and opportunity. Heineken has exited decades of direct ownership in the Democratic Republic of Congo, selling Bralima to Mauritius-based Elna Holdings after conflict disrupted operations, while retaining brand rights. Meanwhile, Diageo is advancing its $2.3 billion (about R37.6 billion) sale of East African Breweries to Asahi Group Holdings after a High Court of Kenya ruling cleared legal hurdles. The moves reflect a shift toward asset-light models, debt reduction and expansion bets, as brewers navigate volatility and rising competition. (SOURCE: Reuters)
|
|
|
I demolish my bridges behind me - then there is no choice but forward.
Fridtjof Nansen |
|
|
|
| Dollar | R16.34 | + 0.18% | | Pound | R22.17 | + 0.11% | | Euro | R19.27 | + 0.13% | | Yen | 0.102921 |
| | Yuan | R2.41 | + 0.02% | | Bitcoin | $ 74 897.83
| + 0.18% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 2 147.90
| + 1.57% | | Gold | $ 4 825.74
| + 0.75% | | Oil | $ 95.52
| + 0.81% | | All Share | 119 573.45
| + 0.18% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
|
|
|
|
|
