| SUGAR INDUSTRY TRAPPED IN DAMAGING JOBS VS HEALTH DILEMMA |
The sugar industry represents a key sector in the KZN economy, but is trapped in the horns of a dilemma. On one hand, it faces an onslaught of cheap, subsidised imports (about 153 344 to tonnes in 2025, a seven-fold increase over 2020) that is displacing local production, threatening rural jobs and farmer incomes. SA Canegrowers warns these imports jeopardise thousands of jobs in farming and milling and is appealing for a review of current tariffs to the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC).
On the other hand, it is agitating against the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) on sugary drinks - currently 2.1 c per gram above 4 g/100 ml - aimed at reducing domestic sugar consumption. For size, in a 330 ml can of Coke with 10 g/100 ml sugar, the levy adds about R0.44, and for a 2 L bottle, around R2.65. The higher price, the industary infers, is bad for consumer demand.
Proponents and critics of the HPL may be at odds over its impact, but there’s no doubt that added sugar is a health hazard. Not helping is that the HPL, around R6–7 billion annually, is not ring-fenced for health programmes and is treated as tax revenue by the fiscus. Clearly, some realignment of priorities, policy and procedure is long overdue. Derek Alberts (editor)
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| BUSINESS MAKING A SPLASH FOR THE CITY’S SAKE |
(ltr) Carlos Baeta (Scrap & Steel), Mark Lerdele (Bluff Meat Supply Victoria Road) and Brett Precious (I-Tech Solutions).
The annual aQuelle Midmar Mile splashing down this coming weekend features a herd of elephants - in deference to the KPCA Group branding - in the line-up to raise funds to help finance its revitalising work in the city. The phalanx of 40-odd swimmers is headed by a coterie of business people, including Mark Lerdele from Bluff Meat Supply Victoria Road, Carlos Baeta from Scrap & Steel, and Brett Precious from I-Tech Solutions. Fixated on beating the inaugural 2025 fundraising target of R38 000, individual Ellie swimmers are aiming at raising R1 000 each. Contributions into the KPCA Group bank account are eligible for a Section 18A certificate. Account details: Standard Bank, account number: 10212066437; reference: Ellie Swim; POP: info@kpca.co.za
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| CALL FOR WATER ENTREPRENEURS, INNOVATORS TO PITCH PROJECTS |
Participants in the blue economy - including inland waters - are invited to pitch at BlueInvest Africa 2026. The scope is as wide as the ocean is deep, from fisheries, aquaculture, regenerative ocean and freshwater solutions, renewable energy, digital technologies, and more. Innovations are sought that drive sustainability, social equity, and inclusive growth to connect with global investors, development finance institutions, and ecosystem partners to scale impact. Submit your pitch here before 13 February. Contact DHoff@thedtic.gov.za for more information.
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1920: The first flight from London to South Africa took off and ended 45 days later in Cape Town with three different planes used.
Elsewhere, in 2004: Facebook was founded.
Today is observed as World Cancer Day. It’s also World Read Aloud Day on International Day of Human Fraternity. |
NEW NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE RISES ABOVE R30 AN HOUR
South Africa’s national minimum wage has climbed above R30 an hour for the first time, with the 2026 rate set at R30.23 per hour, up from R28.79 previously. The increase lifts monthly earnings to about R4 837 for a full-time worker clocking 160 hours a month. An estimated 5–6 million workers are expected to benefit, particularly in domestic work, agriculture, retail and hospitality.
Government says the adjustment is aimed at protecting purchasing power amid persistent food, fuel and transport inflation. Business groups caution that higher labour costs could strain small and labour-intensive firms, while trade unions argue the new threshold remains below a true living wage. (SOURCE: Fin24)
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RAND BACK UNDER R16/$ ON RESURGING COMMODITIES
The Rand rallied yesterday, trading at R15.92 per US Dollar, about 1% stronger than Monday, following a bounce in commodity prices. Gold and silver rebounded after a steep two-day drop triggered by Kevin Warsh’s nomination as US Federal Reserve chair, boosting confidence in precious metals. Analysts expect metals to continue their bull run, supporting commodity-linked currencies like the Rand. The JSE Top 40 index rose 1.03%, while the benchmark 2035 government bond yield fell 7 basis points to 7.995%. Treasury specialists noted volatility, with the Rand moving between 16.20 and below 16.00 against the Dollar. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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RAND-BACKED STABLECOIN TARGETS CROSS-BORDER PAYMENTS
South African financial heavyweights Luno, Sanlam, EasyEquities and Lesaka have launched ZARU, a Rand-backed stablecoin aimed at speeding up and reducing the cost of cross-border payments. Each ZARU token is pegged one-to-one to the Rand and backed by high-quality liquid assets managed by Sanlam, with Standard Bank as banker and monthly reserve verification by Moore Johannesburg. Built on blockchain technology, ZARU enables instant, 24/7 settlement while keeping underlying assets in South Africa. Initially, the stablecoin will be available only to qualified institutional investors. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS S&P BACKS BANKS FOR R500 BILLION CORPORATE CREDIT BOOM
S&P Global expects South African banks to enter their strongest lending cycle in seven years, with credit growth of 8%–9% in 2026, injecting more than R500 billion into the economy. Growth will be driven by corporate borrowing for renewables, infrastructure, logistics and telecoms, supported by easing interest rates and political stability. Project finance is set to surge, anchored by a private energy pipeline of 22,500MW worth nearly R400bn. Despite narrower interest margins, banks are expected to remain highly profitable, with return on equity averaging 15%–16%, while household borrowing stays subdued. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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NEW DAGGA LAWS LIMITS 750 GRAM POSSESSION, 5 PLANTS
Draft regulations under the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act propose capping adult cannabis possession at 750g per day, whether on private property or in public for personal use. Adults will also be limited to cultivating a maximum of five cannabis plants in a private space, regardless of plant size or strain. The regulations outline strict transport rules, requiring cannabis to be concealed from public view, typically in a vehicle’s boot or enclosed compartment. Although the act was signed into law in May 2024, it is not yet operational, pending parliamentary approval of regulations and presidential proclamation. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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PLEASE CALL ME SAGA HEADS TO ARBITRATION FOR 40% CUT
Black Rock Mining is heading to arbitration seeking 40% of Nkosana Makate’s Vodacom payout, valued between R141 million and R299 million from the multi-million-Rand Please Call Me settlement. Makate’s legal team will not participate, claiming his signature was forged on the funding agreement and the contract was cancelled in 2021. Vodacom settled with Makate in November 2025, ending decades of legal battles, though the payout remains contested by Black Rock, which originally funded litigation to the tune of R4.3 million. The arbitration is proposed under the Pretoria Society of Advocates, but Makate challenges the proceedings, arguing there is no legal basis to compel him to arbitrate. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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TFG HIT BY R750 MILLION IMPAIRMENT AMID FOREIGN PRESSURES
Foschini Group (TFG) has taken a R750 million impairment charge as weak trading conditions in the UK and Australia weigh on its international operations. The retailer said subdued consumer demand, higher costs and margin pressure in those markets forced a reassessment of asset values. While South African operations remained relatively resilient, offshore businesses struggled amid inflation, elevated interest rates and cautious shoppers. TFG said the impairment is non-cash and does not affect liquidity, but reflects tougher prospects in its foreign portfolios. Management is reviewing store footprints and cost structures as it focuses on protecting profitability and strengthening balance sheet resilience. (SOURCE: SENS)
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AFRICAN CREDIT RATINGS RIDING 60% STABLE HIGH
African sovereign credit ratings have climbed to their strongest levels since 2020, according to S&P Global, signalling improving fiscal discipline and economic resilience across the continent. The agency said more than 60% of rated African countries now carry stable outlooks, compared with about 45% in 2021, while upgrades have begun to outpace downgrades. Average government debt ratios have stabilised near 65% of GDP, down from pandemic-era peaks above 70%. Stronger commodity prices, easing inflation and improved external balances have supported the rebound, though high borrowing costs and currency risks remain key constraints. (SOURCE: Fin24)
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AFRICA SOLAR SHINES BRIGHT ON RECORD 4.6 GW CAPACITY
Africa installed a record 4.5 GW of solar capacity in 2025, up 54% from 2024, led by South Africa (1.6 GW), Nigeria (803 MW), and Egypt (500 MW), according to the Global Solar Council. The continent could expand capacity more than sixfold to over 33 GW by 2029, driven by utility-scale and distributed projects. Achieving this growth will require $46 billion in investment by 2030, including debt, equity, and grants. Despite rapid rooftop adoption, 82% of clean-energy funding still comes from public sources. GSC highlights solar as critical for energy access, green growth, and resilience, making it central to Africa’s dual energy transition strategy. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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200 EVS EQUATE TO 1.1% CUT IN NITROGEN DIOXIDE POLLUTION
A recent Lancet Planetary Health study shows electric vehicle adoption is already delivering measurable air quality improvements and associated health gains. In California, researchers found that as zero‑emission vehicle (ZEV) registrations rose from about 2% to 5% of light‑duty vehicles between 2019 and 2023, neighbourhood nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) pollution fell. For every 200 new ZEVs, average NO₂ levels dipped about 1.1%, a reduction linked to lower risks of respiratory and cardiovascular illness. The findings, based on satellite NO₂ data and real‑world vehicle registration figures, provide early evidence that EV uptake can quickly translate into cleaner air and public health benefits. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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... AS TESLA'S EUROPEAN SALES SLUMP TO 3-YEAR LOW
Tesla’s European sales fell sharply at the start of 2026, continuing a 2025 downward trend. In France, January registrations dropped 42% to 661 vehicles, the lowest in over three years, while Norway saw an 88% plunge after policy changes affected VAT exemptions. The decline reflects rising competition from European automakers such as Volkswagen and Stellantis, Chinese brands like BYD, and backlash against Elon Musk’s political affiliations. Across Europe, Tesla sales fell 27% in 2025 even as overall battery-electric vehicle registrations rose 30%, highlighting the growing challenge for the U.S. automaker in the continent’s increasingly competitive EV market. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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... AND FRENCH PROSECUTORS RAID X OFFICES OVER CHILD ABUSE
French authorities raided the Paris offices of Elon Musk’s social media platform X as part of a widening investigation into alleged child sexual abuse images, explicit deepfakes and content denial crimes. Prosecutors said the probe is examining possible complicity in distributing illegal material, manipulating automated systems and spreading Holocaust denial. The case was opened last year and expanded after posts linked to X’s AI chatbot Grok allegedly generated antisemitic content and sexualised deepfakes. Prosecutors have invited Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino for voluntary interviews in April, while Europol is assisting the investigation. (SOURCE: AP)
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EFFECTIVE DELEGATION, GIVING INSTRUCTIONS & HOW TO BE ASSERTIVE
TRAINER: Brenda Eckstein – Brenda Eckstein International
OVERVIEW
Poor communication is often stated as a major problem in firms and businesses and prevents progress.
Improve your skills in a four-hour training session and you'll get better results and have more time for strategic issues.
The purpose of this training is to enhance your skills and enable you to achieve better results by:
• Practising and applying the simple BEI '10-step approach to delegating effectively'.
• Saving time when delegating through having positive results thus allowing more time for you to engage in strategic and other important activities.
• Giving instructions more effectively.
• Knowing when to delegate and when to instruct. Confidently expressing yourself using a simple assertiveness formula thus achieving better results and avoiding aggression ……… And much more!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Leaders, managers and others interested in communicating more effectively.
Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.
Date: 11 February 2026
Time: 08:30 – 12:30
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (excludes vat)
PMCB Members: R680 p/p, R645 p/p for 3/more, R595 p/p for 5/more
Non-members: R900 p/p, R885 p/p for 3/more, R850 p/p for 5/more
Please note: The company will be liable for payment unless CANCELLATION is received in writing 24 hours prior to the event. |
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Obedience is the road to freedom.
C.S. Lewis |
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