| 6 SCENARIOS OUTLINE HOW AI IS PRIMED TO ACT AGAINST HUMANS |
Artificial intelligence is no longer a hypothetical threat, it's a mapped one. Researchers and industry insiders are outlining the specific scenarios where advanced AI turns adversarial: seizing control from its creators, being weaponised for mass harm, or acting against human interests at scale. The warnings sharpened dramatically in September 2026, driven by unprecedented alarm from voices inside the AI industry itself, signalling the risk is now taken seriously at the highest levels.
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| BUSINESS BACKS WASTE WARRIORS IN 200-BAG HAUL |
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KPCA Executive Director Lara Edmonds (kneeling left) with staff from the Mayor's Walk Spar and volunteers.
Several business rallied behind KPCA's World Clean-Up Week 2026 that drew close to 100 registered participants across two clean-up stations despite poor weather, collecting just over 200 bags of waste in total. At Station 1 in Prestbury, Boughton and the CBD, 48 participants collected 96 bags and at Station 2 in Scottsville, 50 participants collected 104 bags.
Results are still awaited from those who took part independently via "rock-your-block-clean" drive. The initiative honoured sponsor Plastics/SA, which donates thousands of yellow bags to the cause, alongside Mayors Walk Spar, Emeris, Haz Clean Environmental, and KFC Scottsville.
Organisers thanked volunteers including Vanessa Stuart, Bradley Knock, Natasha Zietsman, Glenn Mc Arthur, Cllr Suraya Reddy, KPCA Director Henri Poirier, and Sam and Bella Edmonds for helping keep "Pietermaritzburg clean, neat, beautiful and green". |
| TAKING THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE FIGHT TO CAMPUS |
(ltr) Chad Earnshaw (MI7 National Group Guarding Operations Manager), Jermaine Joseph (South African Policing Forum member) and Tyrone John (MI7 National Group Guarding Operations Manager) at the recent drug abuse awareness campaign.
The fight against substance abuse is moving onto campus, with Emeris Pietermaritzburg students getting a practical lesson on the dangers of drugs, vaping and peer pressure. The recent Drug Awareness Campaign brought together Emeris Cares, student wellness specialists, MI7 National Group, SAPS and Narcotics Anonymous for frank discussions about addiction and its consequences.
Students examined examples of different drugs, learned about their effects on physical and mental health, academic performance and personal safety, and watched a live demonstration of drug testing. The campaign also tackled the pressures students can face at parties and social events, encouraging informed choices and safer behaviour. |
| CENTENARY COMARDES CLOCKS UP RECORD 56 000 ENTRIES |
The Comrades Marathon Association received a record 56 283 entry submissions and ballot applications for the 2027 Centenary race, with 42 802 runners applying through the General Ballot alone. Extraordinary demand prompted the CMA organisers to raise the field cap to 28 000, the largest in the event's 100-year history. The 13 June 2027 race, marking the 100th edition since 1921, will finish at Durban's Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Green and Yellow Number holders secured entries first, followed by CMA members and the General Ballot, which allocated 14 519 places via independently audited draw. Race director Sue Forge called it an unforgettable milestone celebration. |
1984: South Africa and the United Kingdom faced a diplomatic crisis over six dissidents hiding from police in the British Consulate in Durban.
Elsewhere, in 1513, Spanish conquistador Vasco Bilboa became the first European to sight the Pacific Ocean.
It's World Dream Day and also World Pharmacists Day.
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NO SURPRISES AS RESERVE BANK RAISES REPO RATE 0.25%
The South African Reserve Bank has raised its benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%, taking commercial banks’ prime lending rate to 10.75%. The unanimous decision, effective from 25 September, is the second rate increase this year and comes amid renewed inflation pressure from volatile oil prices and global conflicts.
Consumer inflation rose to 4.4% in August, 140 basis points above the SARB’s new 3% target. Governor Lesetja Kganyago said the central bank saw upside inflation risks and remained focused on restoring price stability. Meanwhile, the economy contracted 0.2% in Q2 2026. The SARB expects 1.2% growth this year, with medium-term growth around 2%, but warned risks remain skewed to the downside. (SOURCE: Moneyweb).
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... AS INFLATION EDGES UP AS PRESSURES MOUNT
South Africa’s annual inflation rate rose slightly to 4.4% in August from 4.3% in July, below economists’ 4.5% median forecast. The increase came as energy, grain and fertiliser supplies remained constrained by geopolitical conflicts, while Brent crude traded near $99 a barrel. Core inflation eased to 4.1% from 4.2%, while food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation increased to 1.1% from 0.9%. The figures came ahead of the South African Reserve Bank’s September rate decision, with economists expecting a 25-basis-point increase. Bloomberg Economics expects inflation to rise further before easing towards the SARB’s 3% target by end-2027. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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... AND RAND TAKES HIT AS GLOBAL SENTIMENT SOURS
The Rand has weakened more than 1% to around the R16.40/$ level as investors respond to deteriorating global sentiment and mounting economic uncertainty. Higher oil prices, geopolitical tensions and a stronger US Dollar are putting pressure on emerging-market currencies, while falling gold prices add another headwind for South Africa. Domestic concerns are compounding the pressure, with inflation at 4.4% in August and the economy contracting in the second quarter. For investors, the combination of weaker growth, rising costs and volatile international markets is increasing uncertainty around South African assets. The JSE Top-40 fell 1.7%, while the benchmark 2035 bond yield rose to 8.72%. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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OIL REFINERY REVIVAL TO COST R131 BILLION
South Africa faces a more than $8 billion (about R131 billion) bill to revive two mothballed State-owned refineries and strengthen fuel security. The Central Energy Fund acquired the flood-damaged 180 000-barrel-per-day Sapref refinery from BP and Shell for R1 in 2024. CEF plans to upgrade it to between 400 000 and 650 000 barrels per day, with a final investment decision targeted for 2027/28, subject to Treasury approval. The refinery investment is estimated at $7.15 billion, with Afreximbank among potential financiers. CEF is also considering restarting PetroSA’s Mossel Bay gas-to-liquids refinery, idle since 2020. Its first phase would cost R5.8-billion, with a second requiring another R8.5-billion. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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CHAOTIC COSATU DESPERATE FOR UNITY AHEAD OF NEW CONGRESS
When Cosatu reconvenes its 15th national congress in three weeks, it will confront pressing member concerns like unemployment, retrenchments and the rising cost of living. This follows the collapse of its first attempt, which fell apart amid disputes over delegate credentials. Several affiliates withheld credentials, largely linked to the suspension of first deputy president Mike Shingange by his union, Nehawu, raising questions the federation must still resolve. Leadership, including president Zingiswa Losi, has pledged to press ahead. The reconvened gathering will need to settle leadership elections and organisational matters left unresolved, testing whether Cosatu's affiliates can present a united front: (SOURCE: Business Day)
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FOUR KZN OPERATORS TO DRIVE DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY
Four KZN community network operators are among 25 selected for a R7 million UK-backed initiative expanding affordable connectivity in underserved communities. Africa Learn, Pazima IT, Mfene Telecoms and Mtech Telecom will receive technical, business and regulatory support. In KZN, Mfene is expanding broadband and hotspots across five Traditional Authority areas, where about 3 000 Dlangubo households lack fixed broadband. Africa Learn is extending connectivity in iLembe, helping residents access education, healthcare, government services and online business opportunities. Nationally, the programme targets 250 public WiFi hotspots, 150 public facilities and 1 500 homes, creating opportunities for digital skills and entrepreneurship. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
See below: Global plan to connect 1 billion Africans digitally |
STEEL MAKERS BEMOAN NEWCASTLE CLOSURE AS SHORTAGES HIT
South African steel fabricators are being hit by supply constraints following the closure of ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Newcastle long-steel operations, the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction says. SAISC CEO Amanuel Gebremeskel says shortages have affected fabricators’ ability to price, schedule and execute projects with certainty, with some losing thousands of tonnes of potential work. Projects have also required design changes to accommodate available steel, adding engineering, procurement and fabrication costs. SAISC is calling for temporary tariff relief while alternative domestic supply is developed. It argues that protection measures should be balanced against downstream requirements, particularly for infrastructure, mining, energy, logistics and construction projects where reliable steel supplies are critical. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS 300 INDUSTRAIL GAS USERS BRACE FOR SUPPLY CLIFF
More than 300 industrial gas users in Gauteng and Mpumalanga face potential severe shortages as South Africa’s gas supplies tighten. Gas currently accounts for about 3% of the country’s primary energy mix but underpins critical manufacturing industries including chemicals, glass, steel, automotive and food processing, which collectively contribute significantly to the economy. With supplies from Mozambique’s Pande and Temane fields declining and alternative infrastructure still delayed, industry leaders warn that time is running out. They are calling for urgent coordination between government and the private sector, faster regulatory and judicial processes, and investment in LNG import terminals, pipelines and other infrastructure needed to secure future gas supplies. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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WOOLWORTHS DROP OUT OF JSE TOP 40 INDEX
Woolworths has suffered another setback, being dropped from the FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index and replaced by Africa's largest drugmaker, Aspen Pharmacare. The JSE's latest quarterly index review also gave an eye-catching boost to higher education group Stadio's share price. Woolworths' share price has slumped roughly 29% over the past year and about 32% year-to-date, ending its 15-year run in the index since 2011. New CEO Sam Ngumeni has announced a reorientation around the group's Food division, which he has described as its primary growth engine, as investors watch for signs of a turnaround. (SOURCE: News24)
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GLOBAL PLAN TO CONNECT 1 BILLION AFRICANS DIGITALLY
A global initiative has unveiled a roadmap aimed to connect 1 billion people in Africa by 2030, addressing a digital divide that extends beyond network coverage. GSMA, the global body representing mobile network operators, and the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa said about 906 million Africans, almost 60% of the continent’s population, live within reach of mobile broadband but do not use mobile Internet, highlighting the need for affordable devices, reliable energy, digital skills and relevant services. Priorities include moving users from legacy 2G and 3G connections to 4G and 5G, integrating energy and connectivity investment, lowering rural deployment costs and improving access to affordable smartphones, digital skills and relevant services. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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NIGERIA, US INK MINING DEAL TO UNLOCK R11.49 TRILLION
Nigeria and the US have signed a framework agreement to deepen US investment in the West African nation's mining sector and diversify global supply chains for critical minerals. The strategic partnership, which covers geological data and local processing, aims to attract foreign capital to Nigeria's underdeveloped mining industry, including its emerging lithium sector, as the country seeks to leverage an estimated $700 billion (about R11.49 trillion) in mineral resources to diversify its economy away from oil. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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AFRICA FLYING HIGH AS GLOBAL AIRPORT PASSENGER GROWTH SOARS
Global airports handled a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, with Africa recording the strongest regional growth, according to Airports Council International World. Passenger numbers across Africa increased 9% year-on-year, ahead of the Middle East at 6.5% and Asia-Pacific at 5.1%. International travel drove much of the global increase, with passenger traffic rising 6.1%. Air cargo also reached a record 131.2 million tonnes, while aircraft movements increased 2% to 103.1 million. However, global passenger growth slowed sharply in the first half of 2026 to 0.6%. Middle East traffic fell 21% amid conflict and airspace disruptions, while longer-term demand remains supported by rising populations, incomes and connectivity. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
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In life, the things that go wrong are often the very things that lead to other things going right.
Arianna Huffington |
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| Dollar | R16.40
| + 0.18% | | Pound | R21.68
| + 0.03% | | Euro | R18.65
| + 0.25% | | Yen | 0.103645 |
| | Yuan | R2.43 | + 0.34% | | Bitcoin | $ 83 124.94
| - 0.20% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 756.90 | - 0.04% | | Gold | $ 4 276.63 | + 0.14% | | Oil | $ 105.50
| - 1.43% | | All Share | 111 565.65
| - 1.57% | | Repo | 7.25 | | | Prime | 10.75 | |
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